From April to June, the population of Fair Haven temporarily increased. About 3,500 school-age children came to the small town to visit Earthway Farm. The farm gave tours to students. Students were educated about farm life, found out how things were done 50 years ago on a farm, and introduced to different animals. On Wednesday, June 11, students from Elm Creek Elementary, in Osseo, visited the farm. Since Osseo is a suburb of the Twin Cities, many of its students don’t see farms on a regular basis or understand what farm life is like. Earthway Farm gives them this opportunity. Teacher Mary Lenzen emphasized that students needed to learn about agriculture and farming because, “this is our state, our economy and our geology.” When students first stepped off the bus at Earthway Farm, many of them were in awe of the animals but unimpressed with the smell. Some plugged or squinched up their noses before getting used to the smell. However, the farm quickly grew on them. Students were in the pens, petting the animals and learning from farm owners Patty Dease and Candy Mullen. With a group of eager pupils, Mullen held out a bunny rabbit to the students. While petting the bunny, the students mentioned that the bunny was unique because his nose twitched. “A bunny always twitches his nose unless he doesn’t feel well,” said Mullen. The group then went outside and saw the miniature horses. In the pen, the students learned that one of the horses was 20-years-old and the other was 30. “This is the oldest animal on our farm,” said Mullen. The students watched the horses wag their tails to swat flies. Mullen asked, “What kind of feet do horses have?” The kids yelled hoofed feet. Another group led by Dease stood beside a large cow. They were told that the cow has four parts to its stomach. The students pointed out the udder and noted that this was where the milk came from. The students named all of the products that are made from milk. The group then met baby lambs. They discovered that the sheep have wool coats, which get sheared about once a year. From the wool, people make socks, yarns, and mittens. Dease told the children that lambs have lanolin in their fur. “We use this to make hand cream.” Students visited all of the animals on the farm including goats, chickens, kittens, llamas and donkeys. A special part of the visit was when a puppy, Tanner, counted for the children. Moving his paws, he showed visitors how many chickens were on the farm. He even did a special cheer for the visiting school group. “Two, four, six, eight. Who do we appreciate? Elm Creek Elementary!” After meeting all of the animals, students went upstairs in the barn for a barn dance. They wagged their feathers during the chicken dance and shook their left arms for the Hokey Pokey. In the barn, students also watched a puppet show, which taught them about farm life gave a message to respect the environment. The tour concluded when old time instruments were played. This educated students about what people on the farm did for entertainment. History of Earthway Farm The farm has been giving tours for the past 13 years. “It all started with the neighbor kids coming over and asking if they could come and see the animals,” Dease said. The pair then expanded by offering tours to local school groups. To make the most of the experience for students, Earthway Farm only raised kid-friendly animals and trained them to be used to little people and being petted. Currently, tours are geared for preschool students to fourth graders. Another emphasis of the tours is to teach children history. “We really want to show them the old way of doing things,” Mullen said. “We show them rope making and corn shelling.” The pair really enjoys the tour season. “The main thing we like is people getting to know the different animals and learning that animals have feelings, just like us,” said Mullen. The farm offers tours through the fall, held a baby farm animals program June 7-8, and will offer several horse and guitar camps this summer. For more information or to schedule a tour call (320) 236-7852.
