Harrington news

As the beautiful fall weather continues to shine on us, the students of Harrington Elementary know its farm tour time. Each year about 60 children go to the Colbert farm to pet animals, harvest garden produce and learn how to make a profit on less than 20 acres of farm ground.

The September 28 tour was an all-day event for K-6th graders at the Harrington school. The 55 students were bussed in groups from the school to the Colbert farm just out of town.

Mrs. Larmer's preschool/pre-K classes were especially excited to brush miniature horses and learn safety skills when handling these gentle little horses.

Mrs. Sanford's Kindergarten/first-grade class explored the barn where the hay and straw is stored for the winter. Holding little farm kittens and rabbits is always a special event for these little ones.

Miss Robert's second/third grade class had the challenge of crossing the quicksand pit to enter the pumpkin patch. Gourds were thrown into a bucket as a contest to enter the patch that holds approximately 300 different sizes, shapes and kinds of gourds and pumpkins!

Mrs. Clouse's fourth/fifth grade class was given a tour of alternative crops grown on the farm. Sunflowers are pretty amazing as they turn their heads towards the sun, and their seeds were examined. These seeds are not to eat but are pressed for their oil. Other crops growing were cotton and Indian corn which looked beautiful with its colorful ears. A farm tractor was checked out and then the search was on for the hidden dinosaur eggs.

LaMarr Larmer and his sixth grade class were able to cut really big pumpkins off the vines. This crop needs a lot of room to grow and lots of water for full, bright-orange pumpkins.

At the end of the tour each class enjoyed a cookie and a glass of punch in the sunshine. Fancy, the farm dog, enjoyed eating the dropped cookie crumbs.

Farm tours are so much fun for this amazing group of kids. Each year we have several students who are afraid of horses or even the friendly farm dog that greets the bus. By the end of one hour they're comfortable and handling all different kinds of farm animals.

Colbert farms is happy that the parents and teachers were willing to share their wonderful, loving and energetic kids. All of the children showed great kindness to each other, as well as to the little animals. Our world is a better place because of our fantastic school, administration and teachers who gently instruct and guide your children into becoming exceptional young adults.