10-year-old Kelly Strasser (top, right) talks to farm tour participants about 5-month-old Hampshire-Yorkshire cross pig 'Frankie' Friday at Fuji Park.
Horses, goats and bunnies oh my!
The annual Capital City Farm Days came to Carson City Thursday and Friday to help educate Carson City kids about agriculture and livestock. The event, held at the Carson City Fairgrounds and Fuji Park Exhibit Hall, featured more than a dozen local organizations who had interactive stations and presentations. There also was livestock around the fairgrounds for patrons to see to learn about the different animals and their role in agriculture.
Organizations such as the Nevada Department of Agriculture, the Division of Minerals and the USDA were at the event inside the Exhibition Hall to showcase their organizations and how they impact the environment and agriculture in Nevada.
“At the Fish and Wildlife Services, we are working on promoting pollinate conservation so we have been talking about different pollinators like birds, butterflies and even bats and how they connect with our native plants,” said Michelle Hunt, public outreach coordinator for the FWS.
Hunt said the department had a lot of interest from some of the students Thursday, because they are learning about butterflies in class.
“The kids really seemed interested in the butterflies because it applies to their school work,” Hunt said.
Education is a key component of why many of the vendors come back each year. Hannah Merritt Woods, of Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers said they enjoy getting to expand the childrens’ thinking about different careers and activities within agriculture. The Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers had their yarn and finished products presented and also demonstrated how they turn the wool into yarn and then into a product.
“(We come back every year because of) education,” Merritt Wood said. “We love telling people about what we do and just tell people about spinning and weaving because it is a valid art and livelihood for some people still.”
Several elementary classes visited the event on Thursday, however, stormy weather deterred a number of people Friday. The vendors still chalked the two day event up as successful.
“We didn’t see as many kids Friday, but I would say it was a successful event because the kids had the opportunity to learn about this,” Hunt said.
For Cassie Elliott, bringing her five-year-old son Jasper was a great way to allow him to learn about agriculture and the local community from experts.
“He is home schooled so it is a good opportunity to have hands on learning and get to talk to people who are super helpful,” Elliott said. “And it is hard to learn about the nature in your area sometimes so that is a good part of this too.”
Jasper said he really enjoyed getting to see the animals.
