FARMING OUT EDUCATION; KIDS SEE FIRSTHAND HOW CROPS GROW AND HAVE FUN TOO.Byline: John Huddy Daily News Staff Writer Kate Draper gobbles down the fruits and vegetables she picks from the Tierra Rejada Family Farm almost as fast as she picks them. But the 2-year-old's eating habits aren't a problem, says her mother, Paige, because Kate is not only getting her vitamins but learning about farming, the county's No. 1 industry. Kate and her mom were among parents, educators and children from Ventura County and as far as the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , who were riding ponies The Riding Pony was developed in the United Kingdom, and are now bred all over the world. They are often used as show ponies, divided into classes based on height and type, hunter classes, side-saddle and in hand classes. , picking from crops and petting the animals at the local farm Wednesday. Visitors not only got to take part in the farm's unique pick-your-own vegetable agriculture program, but also, take a sneak peek at the inaugural Fall Harvest Festival harvest festival Noun 1. a Christian church service held every year to thank God for the harvest 2. any of various ceremonies celebrating the harvest in other religions , featuring entertainment, games and tours. ``We come out here because this is the only place to actually see how the pumpkins and vegetables grow - giving the kids a chance to see that the vegetables don't only come from supermarket shelves,'' said Terry Porter Terry Porter (born April 8 1963 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a former professional basketball player and coach in the NBA. He played college ball at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and had a 17-year career in the NBA. , a teacher with Reseda Community Adult School. ``The kids really love it - they run right out into the field. This is probably one of the only times these kids have seen so much space.'' But space wasn't the only thing for the young farmgoers to experience - with more than six acres of pumpkins - some as heavy as 40 pounds - and a petting zoo filled with pigs, goats, chickens and ponies. Samantha Hernandez, 3, who was at the farm with her dad, Juan, was impressed by the size of some of the pumpkins - some weighing as much as she. ``I like the tractors,'' said the young farm lover. ``I like to ride on them.'' James Barker The name "James Barker" can refer to:
``The farm and the educational program that we offer has become very popular with parents and children,'' said Barker, who took control of the farm, along with his partner, Craig Underwood, more than six years ago. ``We're kind of showing all the different aspects of the farming industry and how it's changed and how it is. We thought we could make this a model farm for people to enjoy.'' John Mackey John Mackey can refer to:
``There's not many places to see farm animals and ride the ponies around here,'' Mackey said. One of the new attractions at the farm are two Clydesdales, Tony and Johnny. Acquired four months ago from the Faulkner Farm of Santa Paula Santa Paula (săn`tə pôl`ə), city (1990 pop. 25,062), Ventura co., S Calif., on the Santa Clara River in a fertile valley that yields citrus fruits, avocados, vegetables, flowers, nursery products, and walnuts; laid out 1875, inc. , the Clydesdales will provide horse-drawn wagon rides. ``The kids love them,'' said Barker, whose grandfather used the same kind of horses to tend to his farm in Surrey, England, almost a generation ago. ``There's something about a couple of Clydesdales giving you a ride on a wagon that's special.'' The large, impressive horses reside at the farm, along with two Belgian horses Belgian horse, one of the largest breeds of draft horses of pure European descent. It has a long history, antedating the Christian era, but became especially popular during the Middle Ages. In the 15th and 16th cent. , 17 ponies, and one trick horse - Magic, who performs at shows across the country and will appear in an episode this month of ``America's Greatest Pets'' on the UPN UPN User Principal Name (Microsoft Windows 2000) UPN United Paramount Network UPN Unión del Pueblo Navarro (Navarrese People Union) UPN Umgekehrte Polnische Notation Network. The festival runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31, with live country music on the weekends, in addition to the various attractions. For more information call (805) 529-3690. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos PHOTO (1--Color) Joshua Moses, 3, surveys a sea of pumpkins at the Tierra Rejada Family Farm in Moorpark, where visitors can pick their own. (2-3--Color) At left, children feed chickens at the Tierra Rejada Family Farm Wednesday while Catherine Mallory, 3, above, gets behind the wheel of a tractor as her mom, Anne, watches. The farm's inaugural Fall Harvest Festival will run until Oct. 31. Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Special to the Daily News |
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