Have Farm, Will Travel
THE PROBLEM: Surveys show that most city kids have never been on a farm, or touched a farm animal, or seen one, for that matter, according to University of California officials.
THE SOLUTION: If you can’t take the kids to the farm, take the farm to the kids.
And that’s precisely what happened last week at Shuey School in the Rosemead School District. Children from throughout the district were bused to Shuey, which had come alive with the sights, sounds and smells of cows, pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, horses and rabbits.
Southern California farmers, 4-H Club members and Mt. San Antonio College showed animals; Cal Poly Pomona students showed computer applications for the modern farm; farm women visited classrooms and talked about farm life; and district children were given the opportunity to sample produce fresh from the farm, such as fruits, juices and snacks.
The event was part of a nationwide educational effort to help children understand the importance of agriculture in the U.S. economy. It was co-sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension and the California and Los Angeles County farm bureaus.
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