Annual Farm Day makes big hit at fairgrounds
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As a kick-off for Farm Day activities, the 400 attendees seated in the grandstand witnessed a sheep-shearing demonstration given by Joe Bryson, representing the Tennessee Division of Forestry. Then, the crowd was divided into small groups in order to get a better view of the various displays set up around the perimeter of the arena and inside the cattle barn. Seen browsing among the young visitors was the Mini-Standard’s Bonnie Bear.
Urban forester Nick Kuhn furnished a forestry display and following his talk he presented seedlings for the children to take home. Also new to Farm Day was a booth showing a cotton plant bearing bolls where attendees were told the importance of growing cotton.
The livestock barn housed goats, chickens, rabbits, dogs, horses and cows for petting. Most of the farm animals were provided by members of the Warren County High School Future Farmers of America with the dairy cows coming from the J.B. Moore family farm.
Extension agent Hilda Lytle and Marilyn Shumake donned mouse costumes to perform a clever skit, “Country Mouse, City Mouse Say Cheese,” as Extension agent Jamie Harris gave the narration. Homemade butter made by the 4-H Honor Club was sampled at the dairy foods booth.
Brandon Fuston showed a tractor display featuring a 1935 John Deere and a blacksmith worked at his trade nearby. Other exhibits featured entomology, TWRA wildlife trailer, Soil Conservationists with Sammy Soil and more.
Rowdy and Roy, a pair of yoke-bearing oxen belonging to Fred and Millie Clendenon, pulled a wooden sled around the arena, much to the delight of the third-graders.
A highlight of the event was an ice cream eating contest pitting teacher against teacher with West Elementary as the victor.
After enjoying a sack lunch, the Farm Day visitors boarded buses for their return to the various schools represented.