FARM KIDS SHOW OFF ANIMALS, KNOWLEDGE

Lambs should feel fluffy like cotton balls, thought Franklin School kindergartener Elizabeth Day. But she learned Thursday that sheep's wool is not quite that soft.

"I thought it felt kind of like leather," Elizabeth said, after petting a sheep for the first time.

Sheep, pigs, horses, bunnies, chickens, a goose and a dairy cow all visited Franklin School as part of a University of Missouri Extension and 4-H project.

Youngsters involved in Cape Girardeau County 4-H clubs showed off their livestock at the elementary school, presenting information about the animals and answering questions.

"They kind of asked silly questions," said 9-year-old Ben Meier, who showed his draft horse.

Meier has always known how big the horses get, what they eat, and that horse shoes must be changed regularly. But youngsters who had never been on a farm or seen a horse up close were curious.

"They got kind of scared," Meier said, "especially when the horse moved around."

Ben's brother Adam said, "Some had never touched a horse."

Bringing those experiences to "city kids" is half the purpose for the exhibit, said Gene Haenni, youth specialist with the University of Missouri Extension.

The program also gives "farm kids" a chance to show off what they know, he said.

Teresa Meier said her sons benefited from Thursday's exhibit.

"They don't realize that some people are never around these animals," she said. "For us it's part of everyday life, but for others it's quite interesting. I think it's good for them to talk about their animals."

For students in Carolyn Whiteside's morning kindergarten class, bringing the farm to school proved a fun diversion for the day before the end of school.

Ryan Ponder made a point to pet each of the animals, a new experience for a youngster who had never visited a farm. "I think it was a treat for us because it's almost our last day of school," he said.

Christopher Heise wondered how that draft horse got so big so fast. The horse, after all, was just 6 years old and Christopher is just 6 years old.

Alexis Depree said: "I liked all the animals. I saw pigs and sheeps and horses and cows and bunny rabbits and hens or turkeys, I'm not sure and a pony."

Kelly Kuehn "really, really, really" liked the horses. "Horses are my favorite animals," she said. "They are pretty and gorgeous and soft." Thursday marked the first time she had met a horse in person.

"I thought they would be spotted white, but these were much prettier," she said. Then she confided, "I wish I could ride that brown and black horse."

Jackson Bahn said he too liked "that big old horse."

"I liked his hooves," he said.

As children petted 6-week-old market pigs, they learned that bacon, sausage, ham and pork chops all come from hogs and that some animals are destined for slaughter.

Carin Kranawetter of Fruitland said students were curious why her white sheep had one black leg. "That's the most common question. I've just been telling them it's like a birthmark," she said.

Kranawetter said: "I think it's a great experience. So many things go on right outside their city. Some of them didn't know. I think it would be good if they could spend a whole day out on a farm and see all the machinery and everything that farmers and ranchers do."