Super Smart Farm Show

Lancaster Farming

Kids have a lot of questions about farming, and the Super Smart Farm Show, Lancaster Farming's podcast for kids, has a lot of answers. Join us each week as we explore kid-friendly topics like why bees are important and why sheep need hair cuts. We here at the Super Smart Farm Show know it's fun to ask questions and wonder about the world we live in, especially when it comes to learning about how farmers feed and take care of us.

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56 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes56

Newest first

Tuesday · 10 min
Why Do Only Some Cows Have Horns?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're going straight to the experts to find out why only some cows have horns. You may have noticed that some cows have horns. Some have little horns, some have big horns and some may even have horns as wide as a car! But some cows don't have any horns at all. Why is that? Is it because only boy cows have horns? Or is it because only some breeds of cows have horns? Or is it something else? Join host Elmer, Bessie the cow and Brody the steer as they discuss why some cows have horns and others don't. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! Thank You to Our Sponsor Fulton Bank For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer and the Moo Crew answer a common question: Do only boy cows have horns? Listeners learn that both male and female cattle can have horns, depending on their breed and genetics, not their sex. Bessie the Holstein explains the role of genes, horn buds, and why many dairy calves are disbudded for safety, while Brody the Black Angus steer introduces the concept of polled cattle, meaning they are naturally born without horns. Along the way, kids discover fascinating facts about Holsteins, Black Angus, Texas Longhorns, Highland cattle, and Ankole-Watususi cattle, explore how horns develop, and learn why some breeds keep their impressive horns as part of their heritage. Packed with interactive quizzes and kid-friendly explanations, this episode is perfect for children curious about farm animals, cattle breeds, agriculture, animal science, and how cows grow horns.
July 21 · 10 min
Does Mulch Have Secret Super Powers?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're getting down in the dirt and figuring what's going on with mulch. What is mulch? Why is it so important for plants and soil? It may not look like much at first, but mulch is more powerful than it may appear. It turns out, mulch has all kinds of powers that help protect plants, including fruits and vegetables. Join host Elmer, Farmer Wendy and Peter the pumpkin as they talk about all things mulch. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! Thank You to Our Sponsor Fulton Bank For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer and Farmer Wendy answer the question, "Why is mulch important?", and explain how this simple gardening material plays a big role in helping plants thrive. Young listeners discover how mulch protects soil, conserves moisture by reducing evaporation, suppresses weeds by blocking sunlight, prevents erosion, and helps regulate soil temperature for healthier crops. The episode explores the different types of mulch—including straw, wood chips, compost, and plastic mulch—and how farmers choose the best option for fruits and vegetables. Peter the Pumpkin joins the conversation to show how mulch protects pumpkins and other produce from rot, disease, and wet soil while they grow. Packed with fun quizzes and easy-to-understand science, this family-friendly episode teaches kids and gardeners alike why mulch is an essential tool for healthy gardens, sustainable farming, water conservation, vegetable gardening, and successful crop production.
July 14 · 9 min
Are Dairy Farms High Tech?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're getting smart and looking at some of the ways dairy farmers use technology on their farms. Smart tech has become a big part of life for many people, but what role does it play on a dairy farm? Do cows really wear smart watches? How do farmers use technology to feed cows? What roll do robots play in milking? Join host Elmer, Bessie the cow and animal food nutritionist Nina as they discuss how dairy farms use smart technology to care for cows. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! Thank You to Our Sponsor Fulton Bank For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer and Bessie introduce young listeners to the fascinating world of technology on modern dairy farms, showing how innovation helps farmers care for their cows. Kids learn how wearable cow activity monitors—similar to smartwatches—track health, eating, movement, rumination, and temperature, allowing farmers to spot potential health issues early. Animal nutritionist Nina explains how robotic feeding systems deliver precise amounts of feed while collecting valuable data that helps create balanced diets for dairy cattle. The episode also explores robotic milking systems, including automated milkers and rotary milking parlors, explaining how technology saves time while improving animal care. Through interactive quiz questions and fun conversations, children discover that while not every dairy farm uses the same equipment, today's farmers combine science, technology, and careful management to keep cows healthy and produce high-quality milk. Perfect for young learners interested in dairy farming, agricultural technology, robots on farms, STEM, and how modern farms work.
July 7 · 10 min
Do Farmers Go On Vacation?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're talking about packing our bags and going on vacation — but first we have to find someone to watch the farm! Plenty of folks go on vacation during the summer to relax and enjoy themselves. But for farmers, taking a trip away from the farm isn't as easy as packing a suitcase and jumping in the car. Before they can leave, farmers have to make sure their farm is in good hands. Who looks after the crops? Who cares for the animals? Join host Elmer, farmer Clementine and Wally the sheep as they discuss how farmers are able to take a well-earned break. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, kids discover the answer to the question, "Do farmers ever get to take vacations?" Elmer and Clementine explain why taking time away from the farm requires careful planning, since livestock need daily care and crops follow busy seasonal schedules. Young listeners learn how farmers choose slower times of the year to travel, rely on trusted family members, neighbors, farm employees, or professional farm sitters to care for animals, and why dairy cows, sheep, goats, and other livestock can't simply be left alone. The episode also explores the importance of farmer mental health, rest, and work-life balance, showing how vacations can help farmers recharge, stay healthy, and even return home with fresh ideas for their farms. Filled with interactive quiz questions, relatable farm humor, and real-world agricultural lessons, this educational episode gives children a deeper appreciation for the year-round dedication of farmers while teaching that everyone—even those who feed the world—needs an occasional break.
June 30 · 13 min
What Did Farming Look Like in 1776?
America is turning 250 this week and on the Super Smart Farm Show we're celebrating by taking a look back at what farming was like 1776. A lot has changed since America was founded in 1776 and farming is no exception. Farmers 250 years ago didn't have the same tools and resources as farmers today, but they were still able to make do with hard work and relying on each other. Join host Elmer and his farmer friends Frank, Clementine, Merle and Wendy as they cook up some burgers and talk about how farmers have been feeding America for 250 years. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here This special Fourth of July episode of the Super Smart Farm Show celebrates America's 250th anniversary by exploring what farming was like in 1776 and how early American farmers helped build the nation. During a festive farm barbecue, Elmer and his friends explain how colonial farmers grew crops, raised livestock, and relied on horses, oxen, hand tools, and teamwork long before tractors and modern machinery existed. Young listeners discover why flax was used to make clothing and linen, how wheat was milled into flour for bread, and why beans, corn, pumpkins, squash, onions, cabbage, and carrots were essential crops for feeding families year-round. The episode also highlights the important role farmers played during the American Revolutionary War, providing food for soldiers and communities while helping the young nation thrive. Filled with interactive quizzes, fascinating agricultural history, and patriotic fun, this educational episode teaches kids how colonial farming, American agriculture, and the hardworking spirit of farmers have shaped the United States for 250 years.
June 23 · 8 min
How Is Ice Cream Made?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're talking about everyone's favorite cool, creamy treat: ice cream! Did you know that June is national Dairy Month? It's a time when we celebrate the farmers and animals that provide us with the milk we drink and use to make dairy products like cheese, yogurt, butter and best of all, ice cream! But how exactly does milk from the cow become delicious ice cream? Join host Elmer and Bessie the cow as they talk about what needs to happen for milk to become ice cream. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer and Bessie the dairy cow celebrate June Dairy Month by exploring how ice cream is made, from fresh milk on the dairy farm to the frozen treat enjoyed by millions of Americans. Young listeners learn the step-by-step ice cream production process, including how milk is mixed with sugar and stabilizers, then pasteurized and homogenized to ensure safety and quality before flavors and mix-ins are added. The episode explains the science behind creamy ice cream, including the role of air, stabilizers, chilling, and ultra-cold freezing temperatures in creating a smooth texture. Along the way, kids discover important dairy industry concepts, learn where products like cheese, yogurt, butter, and ice cream come from, and gain a fun introduction to food science, dairy farming, milk processing, and the journey from cow to cone.
June 16 · 8 min
Why Are Barns Painted Red?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're talking about one of the most iconic images in American farming: red barns. Barns come in plenty of colors, but why are so many of them painted red? Does it have to do with the paint? Or do farmers just really like the color? And why red? Why aren't more barns purple or blue? Join host Elmer and Farmer Wendy as they talk about the history of red barns and why they're still so popular today. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer and Farmer Wendy explore the fascinating history behind America's iconic red barns. Young listeners discover why farmers originally painted barns red, learning how early homemade paint was made from ingredients like milk, linseed oil, lime, and iron oxide, which gave barns their distinctive red color while protecting wood from weather and rot. The episode explains how red paint became the most affordable and practical option for 19th-century farmers, eventually evolving into a lasting symbol of rural life and American agriculture. Along the way, kids learn about barn preservation, farm history, traditional farming practices, and the important role barns play in protecting livestock, crops, and equipment, making this a colorful lesson in agricultural history and farm science.
June 9 · 9 min
Why Do Animals Like Salt Licks?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're talking about salt licks. We all love salty snacks like pretzels or potato chips. But do animals enjoy salt licks simply for their tastes? Or are they getting something more from those salt blocks? Join host Elmer and Poppy the pony as they discuss why animals enjoy salt licks and how those same licks help keep animals healthy. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer and his pony friend Poppy explore the important role of salt licks for farm animals, answering a listener question about why animals love them. Young listeners learn how salt blocks provide essential minerals such as sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, and zinc that help support healthy bones, muscles, nerves, hydration, and overall livestock health. The episode explains why horses, ponies, cattle, sheep, goats, and even wild deer seek out salt sources, while also teaching how salt encourages animals to drink more water and stay properly hydrated. Through fun quizzes and farm-based storytelling, the show highlights the connection between animal nutrition, mineral supplements, livestock management, and responsible farming practices, helping kids understand why salt licks are a vital part of caring for healthy farm animals.
June 2 · 10 min
Why Are Strawberries First to the Fruit Party?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're ringing in the summer with one of the first fruits of the season: strawberries. It seems like the moment the weather gets warmer, strawberries are here and ready for picking. But how did they manage to ripen weeks, if not months before the rest of the summer fruits? Just how long have they been preparing for strawberry season? The answer may surprise you! Join host Elmer and Ruby the strawberry as they discuss how strawberries manage to be one of the first fresh fruits to ripen in the summer. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, we explore the science behind why strawberries ripen earlier than other fruits, with help from Ruby the Strawberry. The show explains that strawberries are perennial plants, meaning they return year after year instead of being replanted from seed each spring. Listeners learn how strawberry plants store energy in their roots and crowns, allowing them to grow quickly as soon as temperatures warm up. The episode also highlights that strawberries are cool-season crops that thrive in chilly spring weather and can better tolerate cold temperatures than many other fruit plants. Young listeners discover how strawberry plants prepare for spring by forming flower buds during the previous fall, giving them a major head start on fruit production. The show also explores how growing close to the ground helps strawberries benefit from warmer soil temperatures in early spring. Packed with fun quizzes and engaging farm science, the episode offers an educational introduction to strawberry farming, perennial plants, spring fruit production and plant growth cycles.
May 26 · 12 min
How Do Tractors Move?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're talking about what it takes to get tractors moving from one end of the field to the other. From gears to crankshafts, pistons to transmissions, there are a lot of words and moving parts keeping those tractors chugging along. But how do they all work together to keep farming machines running? Join host Elmer and farmers Merle and Pearl as they discuss how tractors move. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here This episode of the Super Smart Farm Show takes young listeners inside the world of farm machinery with a fun, educational breakdown of how tractors work. Elmer visits Pearl and Merle in the repair shop to answer a listener question about how tractors move, using a classic John Deere 4020 diesel tractor as the example. Kids learn how diesel engines power tractors through cylinders, pistons, crankshafts, transmissions, gears, axles, and wheels, while interactive quiz questions keep the episode engaging and easy to follow. The show explains the difference between diesel and gasoline engines, how combustion creates motion, and why tractors use different gears for heavy farm work. Packed with agricultural education, tractor mechanics, STEM learning, and hands-on farming knowledge, this family-friendly podcast episode makes complex farm equipment concepts simple and entertaining for children and curious farm fans alike.
May 19 · 9 min
How Does Grain Go From Field to Feed?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're talking about how animal feed gets from the corn and grain fields to the feed troughs. The main ingredients in farm animal feed are grown on farms, but the process of getting the crops from the field to the feed bins is more complicated than you might think. Where does the corn and grain go after it's been harvested? How do farmers know their animals are getting the nutrients they need? Where is all that feed stored before it comes to the farm? Join host Elmer, animal nutritionist Nina and Bessie the cow as they discuss what it takes to keep animals fed and healthy. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here This episode was made possible with support from TAM Systems in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. TAM builds complete grain storage and material handling systems for farms big and small across the Mid-Atlantic. Learn more at tamsystems.com. This episode of the Super Smart Farm Show takes young listeners inside the fascinating world of animal nutrition and livestock feed production. Hosted by Elmer, the episode explains how farmers grow crops like corn, soybeans, and wheat that are later transformed into nutritious animal feed at feed mills. Animal nutritionist Nina teaches kids how balanced feed recipes are carefully designed for different farm animals, while Bessie the dairy cow introduces listeners to a dairy cow's "total mixed ration" (TMR) made up of hay, silage, grain, vitamins, and minerals. Along the way, children learn about grain storage in grain bins, the feed milling process, and how animal feed is delivered back to farms to keep livestock healthy and productive. Packed with fun quiz questions, farm facts, and interactive learning, this educational agriculture podcast helps kids understand the journey from crops to feed trough while exploring farming, dairy nutrition, grain handling, and the science behind caring for farm animals.
May 12 · 10 min
What If Farmers Let the Weeds Win?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're pulling on our work gloves and getting ready to do battle with one of farmers' biggest enemies: weeds. But what would happen if farmers stopped fighting and let the weeds win? Would weeds totally take over? And how are they so good at growing and multiplying so quickly? Join host Elmer, farmer Clementine and Marvin the marestail weed as they discuss and debate what would happen if we let the weeds take over the fields. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, host Elmer visits Farmer Clementine to learn why weeds are such a major challenge for farmers. Through a conversation with Marvin the talking marestail weed, young listeners discover how weeds compete with crops for sunlight, water, and nutrients in the soil. The episode explains how invasive weeds spread through seeds carried by wind, animals, people, and farm equipment, while also teaching why weed control is essential for healthy harvests, strong flowers, and food production. Packed with agriculture facts, farm science, and engaging dialogue, this episode helps children understand crop competition, farming challenges, weed management, and the importance of protecting farm fields from invasive plants.
May 5 · 9 min
How Do Farmers Know How Deep to Plant Seeds?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're sowing seeds of knowledge by asking how do farmers know how deep to plant their seeds. It's time to get seeds in the ground, but hang on a second. What's the right right depth for planting corn? What about carrots? How do farming keep track of it all? Is there a special farm school where they can learn this kind of thing? Join host Elmer and Sammy the scarecrow as they discuss how farmers plant seeds at the right depth. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, host Elmer explores the science of seed planting depth during peak spring planting season, answering a listener question from Juniper about how farmers know how deep to plant seeds. With help from Sammy the Scarecrow, the show explains that seed size, stored energy, and soil type all play critical roles in proper planting depth—larger seeds like corn and beans are planted deeper because they have more energy to reach sunlight, while smaller seeds must stay near the surface. The episode highlights how farmers rely on a combination of agricultural knowledge, experience, seed packet guidelines, and modern tools like planters and seed drills to ensure successful germination and crop growth. It also introduces young listeners to agricultural education, farm technology, and real-world farming practices, reinforcing that correct seed placement is essential for healthy crops and a successful harvest.
April 28 · 9 min
Why Do Farms Smell Funny in the Spring?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're taking a big whiff as we try to figure out why farms smell so funny in the spring. Spring is a time for all sorts of scents. Some are pleasant, like the smell of fresh flowers in bloom. But others are a little more pungent … like the smell of a farm while farmers prepare their fields for growing season. By why do farms smell so funky in the spring? Beyond the funk, could there be some good smells on the farm? And what, exactly, is petrichor? Join host Elmer and Farmer Wendy as they uncover the source of all those smells on the farm during the spring. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, host Elmer explores a common seasonal question—why farms smell stronger in the spring—by visiting Farmer Wendy and diving into the science of fertilizer. The episode explains how farmers apply fertilizer, often made from manure, to provide essential plant nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that support healthy crop growth. Listeners learn why different animal manures produce different odors, how organic fertilizers recycle nutrients into the soil, and why spring is the ideal time for application. The show also introduces the concept of petrichor, the earthy smell after rain caused by soil bacteria, and how rain can intensify farm odors.
April 16 · 7 min
Are Dandelions Really That Bad?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're springing into action to find out if dandelions are really that bad or if they just get a bad rap. Dandelions are one of the first signs of spring, but many people see them as annoying weeds that need to be removed from yards, fields and gardens. But why all the hate? Could those little yellow flowers actually provide some benefits? Join host Elmer and Beatrice the bee as they discuss dandelions and why it might be a good ideas to let them grow. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer explores the surprising benefits of dandelions in lawns and agriculture, reframing the common weed as a valuable part of the ecosystem. With help from Beatrice the Bee, the show explains how dandelions support pollinators like bees and butterflies by providing early spring nectar and pollen, especially in urban and suburban areas with limited flowering plants. Listeners also learn how dandelions benefit wildlife and livestock, serving as food for birds, rabbits, deer and farm animals, while even contributing to nest-building for species like hummingbirds. The episode highlights the plant's role in soil health, explaining how deep taproots bring nutrients to the surface and improve soil aeration, helping surrounding plants grow. It also covers the history of dandelions as a nutritious food source for humans, including uses like dandelion root tea.
April 14 · 6 min
Why Are There So Many Names for Cows?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're trotting out to the field to figure out why there are so many different words for cows. What's the difference between a cow and a heifer? What about a steer and a bull? And what exactly is a bovinae? Join host Elmer and Brody the beef steer as they discuss why cattle go by different names and why having those different names are important for farmers. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer and the "Moo Crew" dive into bovine terminology and cattle vocabulary, helping young listeners understand the differences between common farm animal terms like cow, bull, steer, heifer and calf. With guidance from Brody the steer, the show explains that "bovine" refers to animals like cows, buffalo and yaks, while "cattle" is a general term for the entire group. Listeners learn key distinctions based on age and gender, including that a cow is a female that has given birth, a heifer has not yet had a calf, a bull is a breeding male, and a steer is a non-breeding male. The episode blends fun quizzes with educational insights, reinforcing how proper terminology supports better understanding of livestock management, animal science and agriculture education, making it an engaging resource for kids learning about farm animals and the beef and dairy industries.
April 7 · 8 min
How Do Farmers Know It's Time to Plant Corn?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're putting away our winter coats and rolling up our sleeves to figure out how farmers know when it's time to plant corn. If farmers plant corn too early, cold weather will keep it from growing. But if they wait too long, they won't be able to grow as much. So how do farmers know when the time is right to get those seeds in the ground? Join host Elmer and Sawyer the soil scientist as they dig down to the truth about how farmers know when the time is right. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here This episode of the Super Smart Farm Show explores how farmers grow corn, breaking down the science behind planting crops in a fun, kid-friendly way. The show highlights the critical role of soil conditions in agriculture, explaining that corn planting depends on soil temperature reaching at least 50°F, proper soil moisture levels, and favorable weather patterns. Farmers use tools like soil thermometers, why seeds are planted at specific depths, and how timing — typically in April and May — varies by region. The episode emphasizes the importance of patience, environmental awareness, and smart decision-making in farming, while reinforcing key concepts like preventing seed rot, avoiding frost damage, and maximizing crop yield—making it an engaging educational resource on corn production, spring planting, and modern farming practices.
March 31 · 10 min
How Do Herding Dogs Work?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're in done chasing our tails — it's time to figure out how herding dogs work. How do herding dogs know how to move cattle and sheep around? Have they learned how to speak sheep or cow? Is it special training? Or is there something else going on here? Join host Elmer and Ollie the dog as they discuss how dogs help farmers take care of their herds. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer explores the fascinating role of herding dogs on farms, answering the question: How do dogs move entire herds of sheep and cattle? With help from Ollie, a skilled herding dog, listeners learn that successful herding relies on a combination of natural instinct and specialized training, developed over generations in breeds like Border Collies, Australian cattle dogs and Corgis. The episode breaks down how livestock animals use a herd instinct for safety, which allows dogs to guide them by applying gentle pressure, body positioning and movement rather than force. It also highlights how farmers use voice commands and whistle signals to direct dogs, and why calm, controlled herding reduces stress and improves animal health. Young listeners are introduced to concepts like the "herding eye," real-time problem solving and livestock behavior, making this an engaging and educational look at working farm dogs, livestock management and animal behavior in agriculture.
March 24 · 9 min
How Do Flowers Know When It's Time to Grow?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're looking for early signs of spring — specifically the arrival of spring flowers like daffodils. There's nothing like seeing the first daffodils, crocuses or aconites popping up to signal that spring has arrived. But how do those flowers know it's time to start growing? Do they have tiny, underground calendars? Or is there something else going on in the soil? Join host Elmer and farmer Clementine as they talk about how these kinds of flowers know when to start growing. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! For More Lancaster Farming Podcasts Click Here In this spring-themed episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, Elmer explores the science behind how flowers like daffodils know when to bloom, diving into the fascinating world of bulb plants and seasonal growth cycles. With help from farmer Clementine, listeners learn that bulbs act as underground storage units packed with energy, allowing flowers to grow at just the right time. The episode explains key concepts like plant dormancy, where bulbs rest throughout winter, and vernalization, the cold-weather process (35–45°F) that resets a bulb's internal clock and triggers spring growth. Young listeners also discover how temperature, sunlight, moisture and soil conditions signal bulbs to sprout, and how stored carbohydrates fuel early growth before leaves appear. The show highlights why proper gardening practices—like planting bulbs in fall and allowing leaves to recharge energy after blooming—are essential for healthy plants, making it an engaging and educational guide to spring flowers, plant biology and beginner gardening science.
March 17 · 8 min
What's It Like Inside an Egg?
This week on the Super Smart Farm Show, we're talking about eggs. More specifically, we're talking about what happens inside of eggs before chicks are ready to hatch. What's going on inside an unhatched egg? What does it take to make a chick? Once they're formed, are chicks inside of eggs aware of the outside world? And how do they know it's time to hatch? Join host Elmer and Henrietta the chicken as they discuss how chicks hatch from eggs. Do you have a question for the Super Smart Farm Show? Drop us a line at supersmart@lancasterfarming.com! In depth summary: In this episode of the Super Smart Farm Show, host Elmer takes young "egg explorers" inside a chicken farm to learn how chicks hatch from eggs and the science of egg incubation. With help from Henrietta the hen, listeners discover that chicks typically hatch after 21 days of incubation, during which eggs must be kept at 99–101°F with about 50% humidity to support healthy development. The show explains key stages of embryo growth inside a chicken egg, including organ formation during days 1–7, rapid growth during days 8–14, and final development leading up to hatching. Elmer also learns why farmers turn eggs during the first 18 days to prevent chicks from sticking to the shell and how humidity increases to about 70% before hatching. The episode concludes with the moment chicks break through the shell using their beaks and are moved to a brooder with heat lamps (90–95°F), while also clarifying that grocery store eggs cannot hatch because they are not fertilized.