College Farm in Bad Shape

Yesterday morning, my wife telephoned the Pierce College security office to report one of the herd having difficulty delivering her calf. A second call finally resulted in some help.

Sadly, this morning the newborn was tossed into a skip loader and hauled away.

This was not an isolated incident, as we have seen numerous calves and even one heifer die needlessly.

Presumably, the animal husbandry curriculum includes semination, real and artificial, but not delivery.

Cows and horses frequently need help, sometimes even the services of a veterinarian.

It is clear that the college, and particularly the farm, is in financial difficulty. The pastures have not been planted or watered in more than two years except to accommodate a movie set.

It is interesting to read that the homeowners association wants to save the farm, the sanctuaries and the flyways. I wonder if they have seen the deplorable condition of the land. The sheep and goats are gone. The swine are few, as are the cows and horses.

Even the bird, opossum and gopher populations seem to be on the decline.

It is time the college published a serious statement concerning the status, enrollment and viable plans for the farm.

BRYCE C. BATEMAN

Woodland Hills