Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

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Sorghum feeds Oklahoma cattle

Sorghum is a native of Africa, but its drought resistance makes it a crop that grows well in Oklahoma. Oklahoma ranked number four in the nation in the production of grain sorghum in 2008.

Most of the sorghum grown in Oklahoma is grain sorghum, used as a feed for cattle. Sorghum is also grown as silage, another form of cattle feed.

In many parts of the world sorghum is an important food for people, too. It is made into unleavened breads, boiled porridge or gruel, malted beverages, popped grain, and syrup, from sweet sorghum. Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal crop in the world, after wheat, rice, maize, and barley.

Early in our history sorghum syrup was widely used as a sweetener because sugar was rare and expensive. Like sugar and honey, sorghum syrup is high in calories. The calories from sorghum syrup are not empty calories like those from sugar, though. Sorghum syrup is a source of iron, calcium and potassium. Before the invention of daily vitamins, many doctors prescribed sorghum as a daily supplement for people with deficiencies in these nutrients.

Sorghum syrup is available in grocery stores in the form of sorghum molasses, although true molasses is made from some of the byproducts from sugar. Molasses is a main ingredient in gingerbread. Gingerbread is a traditional Christmas treat made into gingerbread houses and gingerbread men. For the pioneers gingerbread was often served with meals as a bread, like cornbread. Try this healthy version of gingerbread and serve it warm with butter or whipped cream. It will make your classroom smell wonderful.

Sorghum Gingerbread Recipe

Gingerbread/Sorghum Learning Activities

Before combining the ingredients, set up comparison stations with samples of sorghum molasses, honey and sugar and samples of white flour and whole wheat flour.

• Students will compare and contrast the sweeteners and the flour based on sight, feel and taste.

Students will use online search engines or library references to find countries where sorghum is a primary food for humans.

• Students will locate and use map pins to mark the countries on a large world map or color the countries in on a smaller world map.

Students will use online search engines and library references to research the process used to make sorghum syrup.

• Students will use technology to present their findings to the class.

P.A.S.S.

• Grade 1: Science Process - 1.2. Physical Science - 1.1,2
• Grade 2: Science Process - 1.2
• Grade 3: Science Process - 1.2. Social Studies - 1.1; 2.4. Reading - 6.2bc. Oral Language - 2.6. Visual Literacy - 3
• Grade 4: Science Process - 1.2. Social Studies - 1.1. Reading - 5.1ac,2d. Oral Language - 2.1,2. Visual Literacy - 3
• Grade 5: Science Process - 1.2. Physical Science - 1.1. Social Studies - 1.1; 7.1. Reading - 5.1ade. Oral Language - 2.5. Visual Literacy - 3
• Grade 6: Social Studies - 1.1,3; 3.2. Reading - 5.1ab. Oral Language - 2.2. Visual Literacy - 3
• Grade 7: Social Studies - 1.1; 4.1. Reading - 5.1ab. Oral Language - 2.2,3. Visual Literacy - 3.1

More sorghum facts

December Page

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom

Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom is a program of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.