COSTA MESA : Fairgrounds Farm Lures Schoolchildren
Tours of Centennial Farm for elementary school and preschool students are being held on the Orange County Fairgrounds four days a week through next May.
The facility is a replica of a working farm and features crop displays, farm animal exhibits and educational tours led by volunteers. The program was developed to educate youth about agriculture.
Tours include hands-on experience with farm animals, including sheep, pigs, goats, cows and chickens. Crops grown at Centennial Farm include corn, onions, lettuce, peas, tomatoes, carrots, squash, zucchini, pumpkins, alfalfa, grapes and a variety of berries.
The farm serves as a permanent exhibit at the fairgrounds. More than 45,000 schoolchildren have toured the one-acre farm since it opened in 1989.
Tours are offered from Tuesday through Friday at no charge to classroom groups. Reservations are required and will be accepted on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; and Fridays, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about field trips to Centennial Farm, call Michelle McKnight at the Orange County Fair, (714) 751-3247, Ext. 22.
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