Local News
Tour lets children experience farm life
By Tiffany GreenChildren enjoyed a day at the farm this week with the ninth annual Touring Farm for Kids.
“The original purpose was that we wanted to instill in children farming and its importance and where their food comes from,” said Cherrie Haney, with Cullman County Economic Development office.
Organizers of the event want to give children the opportunity to see how people farm and see how the food comes from the land to the table.
“Cullman County is number one in agriculture in the state of Alabama and we want to continue that,” Haney said. “Farming is declining and we want these children to know about it. We want the kids to see it from the farm to the factory.”
The tour also shows children what types of careers are offered in agriculture.
Jamie Troutman with the Cullman Economic Development Agency has been the organizer of the event for the past several years. She wants children to be interested in farming.
“We want to show the children the importance of farming,” she said.
Wednesday the children visited the new Archery Park in Cullman. Stuart Goldsby with the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries said it was the first opportunity to give a lesson at the park.
“The kids had a good time and everyone hit the target,” he said.
Haney said they try to think of new things to bring the children to each year.
“The archery park was to show hunting is part of farming too,” Haney said. “A lot of people hunt and this park is a good thing for the community.”
“This is my first time at the park and I’m very impressed,” Troutman said.
Ricky Davis and Richard Chambers with the Heritage Archery Association put on a demonstration for the children.
The children then traveled to the Doss Horse Farm where they saw how the horses where raised and taken care of.
“It was something good for the children to do this summer and also they are learning something,” parent Linda Shoemaker said.
“We want to get children outside and let them get their hands dirty. Farming is critical to our existence and is largely responsible for our family values,” said Agriplex Chairman Tom “Big Doc” Williamson, in a press release.
“It’s exciting and I’m learning new things,” Daemeon Perry said.
He said he was glad to be learning about horses and their importance.
The children participate in activities including visiting Paradise Pet Academy for a pet obedience lesson, going to the Archery Park, visiting the Doss horse farm, Camp Meadowbrook, Garrison’s Goldvine Farm, Peinhardt Living History Farm, the Auburn Experiment Station, and the Festhalle.
The tour continues today with a demonstration from the Alabama 4-H Raptor Center the Peinhardt farm.
The program is sponsored by the North Alabama Agriplex Board. It is coordinated by the Cullman Economic Development Agency, the Soil and Conservation Office, Auburn Experiment Station, Cullman County Economic Development, First South Credit and other volunteers.
The program is free for children and $10 for parents.
‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.
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