Kids Day on the Farm

The Blount County-Oneonta Agri-Business Center hosts the Blount Kids Day on the Farm each year. This event is sponsored by numerous local farm-related agencies including the Blount County Farmers Cooperative, Blount County Farmers Federation, Blount Cattlemen and Cattlewomen, FCCLA (Family, Career, Community Leaders of America), and the county's high school agriculture teachers. A variety of farm animals are on hand for children to become acquainted with: chickens, roosters, rabbits, goats, llamas, cows, horses, dogs, cats, and other animals.

Tractors of various sizes and styles are displayed for kids to examine. Current and past farming practices are also exhibited. For example, one farmer gave kids a chance to shell corn with an old-fashioned sheller, as well as wash clothes using a rub board in a wash tub after getting water from a hand pump.

Children travel from station to station enjoying the many exhibits and often getting hands-on learning experiences...and petting the animals, too.

For 2012, it is hoped that the event may include the sheep-shearing and bee/honey production.

The Blount County-Oneonta Agri-Business Center provides an ideal location for this event because teachers can still plan to make the field trip with their students, even it it rains. Children are bussed in from the local schools to attend this event.

To read an article by Blount County writer Suzy Lowry Geno about Kids Day on the Farm that appeared in the AFC Cooperative Farming News, click here. Photos used on this page are used with permission of Suzy Lowry Geno.