Show tl Hi Farmer Can Brown A Cow Fly J Hi there Farmer Brown Broun a small voice called out as Tom Williams walked down the street Williams was a at t farmer but his name was not i Brown so he continued on his way v I SAID lilt HI lilt It the little littlevoice littlevoice voice squeaked insistently and a hand tugged at his sleeve slee Williams stopped and looked down dO into a pair of brown broun eyes that sparkled with pleasure iID Doul Dont ml you ou remember me meI met mea I was out to your farm last year jear ear the child said and began began began be be- gan to tell him the things For the past five years they ha e been bringing bright- bright eyed city youngsters to see hear touch and smell the wonders that can only be experienced exPerienced experienced ex ex- on a farm u FARM ANIMALS are as much a novelty to these children children children chil chil- dren as animals in a zoo and to them farm equipment is as strange as a satellite The acre dairy farm lo located located located lo- lo in Centerville some 20 miles north of Salt Lake City is owned O and operated by Williams and anc his sons Emory and Thomas Jr THEY MILK 70 cows and maintain a herd of 80 calves dry cows heifers and steers The cattle together with horses rabbits pigs chickens and a litter of kittens living between the bales of a straw stack are a source of both amusement and amazement to the youngsters from the city streets For some children seeing the strange animals is a frightening experience A pen full of squealing pigs or a horse or cow towering above them brings fear to their hearts BUT THE teachers have a wonderful way of building their courage to where they actually reach out and touch the more gentle animals Look one little girl knouted ho foo when a calf took her stretched out hand in its it's mouth U this s baby cow loves me THE CHILDREN are full of questions about everything they encounter Mostly between between between be be- tween five and eight years of age their then natural curiosity has not yet been stifled by adults who say Dont ask such silly questions And on the Williams farm arm all questions questions questions ques ques- silly or not are an an- As I followed a class from the Hawthorn School in Salt Lake City about the farmyard a eyed brown boy watched a pigeon light lighton on the barn then turned and shouted Hey Mr Williams can a cow fly SOME OF the group laughed laugh laugh- ed at the question but not Williams In all seriousness he said he said Can you see any wings on that cow The boy said I No Then that old cow cant can't fly can she He had an an- the boys boy's question and made him think at the same time ACCORDING to Williams not all the silly questions are asked asked asked ask ask- ed by the students A number number number num num- ber of adults parents and volunteers volunteers volunteers vol vol- vol- vol come with each group to help control the children chil chil- dren Many of them have never been on a farm before and their questions ons show their lack of experience Williams named Davis County's outstanding farm farmer farmr r j in 1967 has been a supervisor i of the Davis Soil Conservation District since its organization in 1952 and is presently serving serving serving ing as secretary WITH HIM HIM- soil and water conservation is is a way of life He has leveled land installed drains and all irrigation water I is piped to the head of the fields His His His- farm is arranged so so- that drainage and run-off run water from the upper fields is used to irrigate the land below Crops are rotated and full use is made of commercial fertilizer and barnyard manure ma ma- nure FARMING is a time full job for Williams and his sons but at least one of them manages manages manages man man- ages to take lake time out from their busy schedule to show the youngsters around They feel that everyone should know where their food comes from and realize the importance of making the best use use se of our soil and water The visit isit to the farm is isone isone isone one of the highlights of the school year After they have seen the sights on the farm the youngsters are taken to toa toa toa a nearby park where they are allowed to play games and run off some of their excess energy before they eat their picnic lunch THIS IS a wonderful experience experience experience ex ex- for or these under underprivileged underprivileged underprivileged privileged youngsters Johanna Johanna Johanna Joh Joh- anna Ketcher teacher at the Jackson School says no matter what they do they will never forget |