Hands-On Opportunity Brings Cotton Exploration Field Trip to Life
The UT and TSU Extension Hardeman County hosted Homeschool Roster, a Hardeman County-based home school group, on Friday, September 19, 2025, at its center where students learned about cotton, how it is grown, processed, and its existence in items we use every day like in toothpaste. ANR Extension Agents Clint Plunk (Hardeman County) and John Williams (McNairy County) led the field trip and shared about this important agricultural crop and its history.
Mr. Plunk and Mr. Williams took the group to an active field where they were able to see cotton grown. Mr. Plunk noted, although cotton is a perennial plant, growth regulator is added to make it an annual plant, which helps with production management. He showed the students examples of cotton through its growth stages, which included healthy cotton and cotton affected by bugs – one of its biggest threats during growth.
Upland, Pima, and Egyptian cottons were discussed along with Acala, which is grown in California. Students were even able to pick cotton by hand, which was done through the years until the 1970s before machines took over the process.
After visiting the field, the students returned to the center and watched a video of the harvesting process of cotton.
Using a mini cotton gin, Mr. Williams demonstrated the process cotton goes through in a full size gin where seed and debris are separated from cotton fibers before it is sent to be baled, and eventually sold.
“This is the second year my group has done this field trip. This year, I brought a new group of families, and just like last year, several shared before the end of the day this is one of their favorite field trips,” said Jennifer Smeltser of Homeschool Roster. “Clint and John do an excellent job of teaching and do so in a manner that is educational for all ages of people. I love the history they shared, seeing the growth and processing of cotton, and that they include hands-on opportunities for the students. You can tell they both are passionate about the work they do in agriculture by the way they teach.”
The Cotton Field Exploration field trip is one of many in the Hardeman County Field Trip Adventures series offered by Homeschool Roster. The Hardeman County-based field trips highlight the history and educational experiences in Hardeman County. Some upcoming field trips in the series include visits to the Bolivar Fire Department, the Hardeman County Courthouse and Little Courthouse, Loaves and Fishes, and the History Room at the Bolivar Hardeman County Library. Homeschool Roster also offers field trips throughout West Tennessee for students promoting getting out of the house and learning outside of the four walls. You may see upcoming fields trips for the school year.
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