- Good morning, Arkansas students and families.

It's Megan Ables here again with you, and of course we're gonna keep learning, but today I'm gonna start with a cheer.

♪ Are you proud to be a Ricebird ♪ ♪ Yes, I am ♪ Why am I cheering?

Because I had to bring my favorite Ricebird t-shirt.

The Ricebirds are my inspiration.

I love being part of the Ricebird family, but today we're gonna learn about the journey of my Ricebird t-shirt.

So let's go to the beginning.

The fibers inside cotton balls are stripped from the plant and the field during harvest.

Once harvested, the cotton is dried out and then the fiber is separated from the seeds using what's called a cotton gin.

Then the cotton fiber is compressed into a bale and delivered to the textile mill.

Individual strands of cotton fiber are then twisted together to create a thick cotton yarn.

The yarn is then woven and dyed, and then pieces are cut and stitched together to create clothing.

Then, of course, we have to put our design, and who does it love my design?

Peace, Love, and Ricebirds.

Then it's purchased, and shipped, and voila, we have our t-shirts.

And I know some of you may not have Ricebird t-shirts, but you have your school t-shirts, so let's talk about supply and demand.

I know this is something you think, "Why are we talking about this?"

But it's really important to know what affects the prices of our t-shirts.

So I'm gonna give you a couple situations and I want you to think, if this is gonna make my t-shirt cost more, you give me a thumbs up.

If this is gonna make my t-shirt cost less, you're gonna give me a thumbs down, and we're gonna see how you do with supply and demand.

Scenario number one, bad weather comes through and hurts our cotton crops.

What is that gonna do to the price of my t-shirt?

Do you know?

If you gave me a thumbs up, you are absolutely correct.

It is gonna make my shirt cost more money.

Now, what happens if cotton is shipped to America from other countries, so we have plenty of cotton to use?

Hmm.

Those of you making a thumbs down, you are right on the money.

The cost of my t-shirt is gonna go down, because we have extra supply.

Now, this happened this year, and I'm gonna see if you know this answer.

What happens if the big trucks can't deliver the cotton, because they can't make it down the highway or over a bridge?

What's gonna happen to the cost of my t-shirt?

That's right, if you gave a thumbs up, you are right.

It is gonna cost more money.

And then what happens, which I'm sure after this little segment, this is gonna happen, what if everyone wants my t-shirt and I only have about 50 of 'em, but everybody wants one?

What's gonna happen?

That's right, thumbs up.

The price is gonna go up because supply is low and demand is high.

So, guys, thank you so much for joining me today as we learned about the journey of my t-shirt and supply and demand.

I'll see you later.