Extreme Degrees of Learning

  We were all business on day two of our 4-H Biotech day camp.  Today all four counties met at the 4-H office for some teen lead science experiements.  After learning how to make a lava lamp, make milk colorful, squish marshmallows without touching them, and imploding a can with air preasure we had our snack and then loaded up for a day of science and learning.
  Our first stop was U. S. Cold Storage in Lumberton.  We were met by Steve Musselwhite, the plant manager.  He told us that U.S. Cold storage flash freezes fresh foods for transportation around the state, country, and even world.  We learned that there is not a spot on the globe that they don't transport to (trust .  As part of learning about their business we also got donned in heavy parkas as we hit the storage areas and saw just how cold their day is.  Not only do they use science to make things cold (actually they don't make things cold they extract heat which makes things cold), but they use technology to flash freeze items, store food, and to track where every package goes.  We took turns touring the loading dock, becuase we needed the big coats to survive.  When all 40 of us had done the tour, we gave our sincere thank yous, and loaded up in the vans.
  Our next stop was Golden Corral for lunch.  We had a little bit of everything and a really good time getting to better know our friends from other counties.  After lunch we hit the road again to head to St. Paul's.  There we met the folks from Prestage and FLS Energy.  Prestage farms produces and processes poultry and pork to feed the world.  While FLS Energy is a full service solar company offering alternative energy solutions to home owners, business, agri-business, government and more.
  Our mission today, thanks to Summer Lanier, the Public Relations Director of Prestage, was to tour the largest hot water solar farm in the nation.  That's right in  the nation.  Scott Kelly with FLS explained how the solar pannels work, while Michael Pope explained how the solar farm project was put together, and how much money and energy it is saving Prestage.  Not to mention how much less impact they are now making on the environment with their carbon foot print.  Our youth learned how the hot water travels between the plant and the solar panels getting heated by the sun.  The plant usues a large amount of very hot water for their chicken processing operation and the solar energy is making a tremendous difference for their business.  The youth also learned how the same technology can work for their homes and other power projects.
  If you thought today was about the bottom dollar, wait until you see the monkey business we have in store for tomorrow.