Super Smart Farm Show

Lancaster Farming
  • 5.0 (19)
  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 4D AGO

    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.

    9 min

  2. APR 28

    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.

    9 min

  3. APR 16

    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.

    8 min

  4. APR 14

    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.

    7 min

  5. APR 7

    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.

    8 min

  6. MAR 31

    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.

    10 min

  7. MAR 24

    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.

    10 min

  8. MAR 17

    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.

    9 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Lancaster Farming
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Super Smart Farm Show

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