They learned how almonds are grown, processed and packed in boxes that are sold at the stores.They saw how sheep are sheared, and how to give a goat a bath.They were challenged to plant and grow a cabbage seedling, and then were told to enter the fruit of their labor in a contest that could earn them $1,000 in scholarships next year, just as a New Haven School fourth grader did last year.And, they learned how to square-dance - "a great way to exercise on a rainy day inside," according to a member of the San Joaquin Valley Square Dance Association.The nearly 4,000 third graders from various schools in South San Joaquin County experienced all of these firsthand, and more, Wednesday during their field trip at the Manteca Unified School Farm on Louise Avenue made possible by the AgVenture project.The young students, who rode in school buses to the farm in groups from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., learned about the different aspects of agriculture and how this brings food to their dining tables not only from their tour of the animals and vegetables at the school farm, but also from the many different ag-related displays that included a number of mammoth machines used in farming such as tractors, a hay baler, and a disc farm equipment.A group of young 4-H members from Livermore joined the San Joaquin Valley Square Dance Association in giving the dance presentation. "They do square dancing as a 4-H project. They love it," association director Margaret Miller said.During their dance demonstrations, the students along with some of the parents had an opportunity to learn the dance steps and actually do a performance with the 4-H and association members.In the Bonnie Plants booth, Randy Beasley explained to the children how to grow a healthy cabbage plant in the garden or in a container filled with all-purpose potting soil.