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On Monday, the Pierceton Hayseeds, a Kosciusko County Fair 4H group comprised of kids grades 3-12, met at Rodger and Sue Studebaker’s farm in Pierceton for the annual Hayseeds Mini Farm.

Alpacas, geese, sheep, goats, kittens and more were all in attendance for both preschool and kindergarten students from Pierceton and South Whitley schools to pet, feed and learn about.

This year marked the 36th year that Hayseeds has hosted the Mini Farm, 24 of which were spent at the Studebaker farm. Hayseeds members are asked to research an animal that will be shown to attendees and prepare a presentation. In addition, Hayseeds members also host a nature walk, taking visiting children around areas of the Studebaker farm to discuss plants, aquatic life in the Studebaker pond and even hunting for mushrooms.

According to Andrea Baker, a former Hayseed who now acts as a group leader and parent of a second generation Hayseed, the event helps Hayseeds members learn how to present a topic and research it. It also gives visiting children the opportunity to learn about where their food comes from.

Approximately 200 children attended this year’s mini farm. Animals at the farm were provided not only by the Studebakers but by Hayseeds leaders and parents. A wide variety of animals were brought to the event including a turkey, swine, dairy calf feeder steer, alpacas, a horse, sheep, baby geese and a goose, rabbits, baby chicks, kittens, a dog, goats, a donkey, a llama, guinea hens, chickens, beef cows and a lamb.

Presentations were given on farm equipment and lamb sheering and visitors were welcomed to milk and cookies. Children were also delighted at the chance to sit atop a horse and milk a goat alongside Rodger Studebaker.