LIMA — Cows, chickens, hay rides and straw hats for everyone.
The Lima South Science and Technology building was the site for the Lima City School District’s sixth annual Farm Day for elementary school children. Students had the chance to learn just about every aspect of the farming profession.
Several stations were set up for educational opportunities for the children. Children learned to plant gardens, how important worms are to healthy soil, how grains are turned into foods and even how to milk a cow. And of course, there were plenty of farm animals, including pigs, chickens, cows and horses.
“There were some great connections made for education, said South Science Technology Magnet School Principal Chad Fallis. “They learned how farmers function today with technology and the economy.”
Heritage Elementary School first-grader Nylah Houston, 7, said she enjoyed the pig the best. She said she saw two deer and other animals and enjoyed seeing all the farm equipment. The baby pig was a popular attraction to the children, where Elida FFA senior Torey Carroll taught them some pig facts.
“This pig is 2 weeks old and we let the kids pet the pig,” Carroll said. “We taught them about the average weight of a pig, about 300 to 400 pounds, and that they can get up to a ton. The world record is 1,980 pounds.”
Another popular spot was where students were able to stop and learn to milk a fake cow. Kids squealed as they squeezed the udders.
“The kids were surprised with how easy it was most of the time,” said Trevante Lewis, a Lima Senior High School student who was helping the children as part of his senior project. “They got really excited. Some of them were a little shy about it but then they wanted to do it too when they saw other kids doing it.”
Students from Liberty Arts Magnet, South Science Technolgy Magnet, Heritage Elementary, Freedom Elementary and West Middle schools participated in the event. Fallis said it is just one more way the school can introduce students to possible careers and learn something new.
“I learned how important it is to drink dairy products,” said Eric Allen, 7, a Heritage first-grader, “and I learned how animals are important to us in many ways.”
.neFileBlock {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
padding-bottom: 5px;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
font-size: 85%;
}
