Around 650 Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade students attended the annual FFA Petting Zoo at Clinton Prairie High School Thursday.
“The elementary kids love it,” said Amber Bedwell, who is the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Clinton Prairie. “Rain or shine they come out here with a smile on their faces and they really enjoy seeing the different animals. A lot of the students may not have the opportunity to see some of the animals we have provided for them. It’s really good for them to learn about some of the animals we have.”
Clinton Prairie FFA members provided animals such as pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and a dog. There was a new addition to this year’s event.
“We do have a new exhibit this year — the alpaca,” said Bedwell. “One
of our students brought it in from her uncle’s farm. All of the other animals are from the students. Some of these (animals) will be the students’ 4-H projects they will show at the 4-H Fair and State Fair in August.”
The alpaca is a domesticated species of South America, similar to, and often confused with, the llama. However, alpacas are often noticeably smaller than llamas.
Bedwell said the FFA students are responsible for bringing in the animals if they have them as well as making a poster for them with information about the animal. That way the elementary students can learn about the animal being provided.
Bedwell said this event has been done in each of her four years at the school and it was started before she came to Clinton Prairie.