Students learn, have fun at Ag Day

Several hundred elementary school students gathered at the county fairgrounds on Friday to get down on the farm. They were taking part in the annual Ag Day, sponsored by Washington County Farm Bureau, Inc.

It's an opportunity for students to get some hands-on learning about agriculture and how it affects both their lives and impacts the worlds. There were cows and pigs and goats and sheep and baby chicks for students to pet and hold. They got to try their hand at "milking" a cow, learned about agricultural equipment and farm safety and enjoyed lunch.

Karissa Hardy, a West Washington student, said she enjoyed learning about the animals. She said she didn't know before that a sheep's hair "gets prickly when it gets older." She also didn't know that a sheep goes "baa" while a goat bleats.

"I didn't know that 'til today," she said. "I don't live on a farm."

Classmate Addie Moore didn't realize a sheep's wool "has wax on it." Petting the goats were her favorite activity because "goats are just adorable!"

For much more on Ag Day, see Tuesday's Salem Leader. You can view photos from the event in the photo gallery below.