Students learn about fair animals

Hundreds of second-grade students left their classrooms behind and flocked to the fairgrounds for a day of outdoor-learning during the eighth annual "Farm Day at Porterville Fair" Friday.

The students listened to short presentations on everything from animal habitats to water conservation, learned about fair animals - cows, rabbits, goats and sheep - and visited the indoor 4-H and FFA exhibits.


"It makes them understand that they don't [need] an animal to participate in the Porterville Fair," said Gail Inman, chairwoman of the event. "This is the last of a three-day marathon. Wednesday was ‘Preschool Day' and Thursday was ‘Special Friends Day.'"

Between 1,600 and 1,700 students from Burton, Pleasantview, Terra Bella, Hope, St. Anne's, Springville, Sunnyside, and the Porterville Unified School District schools attended the event.

"We have 45 stations and three tracks. [A] guide will take the children to 15 different stations," said Inman.

More than 100 student volunteers from Monache and Granite Hills high school FFA and 4-H served as guides and presenters. Younger 4-H members were also on hand to talk about their animals.

"The older kids set a good example and inspire the younger kids [and give them] something to aim for," said Inman. "We have hundreds of volunteers all together and it really restores faith in humanity because every one works together. If you look at the presenters, some of them are not much older than the students."

Such was the case with the goats exhibit run by 11-year-old Codi Shelton from Prairie Center 4-H.

"How often do we need to wash them?" Codi asked Gordon Jones' second-grade class from Roche Elementary. "Not too often because if we do, their oil goes out and the hair gets real dry and the judges won't like it."

The students also learned about the importance of proper feed and care of the goats.

"I learned that the goats are mammals because they suck their mother's milk," said Jose Velasquez, 8.

Jose also said he found it interesting that the goats needed two gallons of drinking water a day.

"It's a wonderful program. Most of these kids are just going into third grade and as they see these exhibits, it might encourage them to want to join 4-H for projects of their own. It's exciting," said Jones.

At another station Alma Mejia, 16, with GHHS FFA Floral Management, talked about floral crops and their use in perfume and oils. Next to her station, Richard Hunt and Kelssie Rapp, also of Granite Hills, talked about the thousands of cattle byproducts.

"We use only 64-percent of a cow for beef, and 34-percent for byproducts," Hunt explained to the children. "All of the leftover parts, after all of the meat is removed, [produces] thousands of byproducts - dish soap, deodorant, perfume, footballs, shoes, paint brushes, oil for the car, Jello and marshmallows."

The day was sponsored by Jim Vidak and Tulare County Superintendent of Schools, Porterville Unified School District, and the Porterville Fair, said Inman.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for the kids to get some exposure of farm environments and what goes on at the fair," said Dana Collins, fair board member. "I admire Gail [Inman.] She does an amazing job facilitating all of the volunteers, and with all of the planning and preparing. They do a fantastic job.

--  Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1047 or eavila@portervillerecorder.com.