By Sharon Cassidy | In 1991, two 4-H Program Assistants, Audrey Hardin and I, decided Gwinnett 4-H had served enough funnel cakes at the Gwinnett County Fair. We wanted to educate youth and adults about “farm” animals and where and what products come from the farm.
From 1990
We went to the county extension agent, Bill Baughman, and asked to start the “Gwinnett 4-H Petting Zoo.” We created pens for the animals, used old doors as props and borrowed and bargained for everything under one small tent located between the livestock barn and the main building at the fairgrounds. There were in the area two calves, two sheep, some goats and chickens that first year. It has grown over the years to educate pre-schools in the morning and more children and adults during the regular hours of the fair each year.
We have focused on the education aspect for the children (and adults), learning about farm animals. We saw the need to teach children about where meat and products come from beside the grocery shelf. Many youth in our the metro area think that milk comes only from a container. The area, now called, “4-H Farm Friends,” is where we teach, “How many glasses of milk does a cow produce?” and “What is the name of the male and female bovine?”
Petting donkey
The bunnies hop around, waiting for a gentle touch of love from the kids, who love to touch the soft fur and long ears. Kids and adults can watch baby calves drinking their big baby bottles in the late afternoon. We have a donkey, “Miss Ellie,” that was born in the Cassidy farm five years ago during the fair. She will be returning for her ears to be rubbed and entertain with “braying” at the crowds. Come help celebrate the 25th birthday this year. Sheep are a favorite because of the different uses for the wool and the goats are entertaining when jumping around the pen.
Each year we add new trivia questions to the barn door for patrons to see how “Farm worthy” they are. This always brings a good chuckle from adults and even our senior visitors. We have Daisy, our milking experience (better known as a counterfeit cow) for everyone to try their hand at milking. We guarantee her not to kick or turn over the bucket! When leaving our area, Mayfield Dairy furnishes everyone with chocolate or white milk as a special treat.
Seeing calves
Over the years, more than 500,000 youth have been educated at the Gwinnett County fair. From beginning in a small tent, to the farm barn that the fair directors built for our Gwinnett 4-H program, it has continued to grow. We hope to continue to educate and excite youth and adults about where farm products come from and milk is not just from a carton.
Audrey and I have passed the torch to Pam Bloch and her 4-H staff now to capture the magical moments. Dedicated 4-H Volunteers and Master Gardeners are our adult supervision with our farm animals. We use 4-H youth to assist with our animals during the regular hours of the fair.
So join us at our 25th year at Gwinnett County Fair September 17 to 27, 2015. I bet you will leave saying, “I did not know that” about our animals.
Follow Us