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Mary Hemminger, deputy manager,
displays some of the 2002 Create a Sheep entries
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Last
chance for teachers and kids to create a dairy goat
Turlock
– Dairy goats of all sizes and shapes will be
trip-trapping to the Stanislaus County Fair—each one
the creation of local elementary school children.
Stanislaus
County Fair officials have announced their annual
“Create an Animal” schools involvement ag
education program and this year’s animal is the
dairy goat. Through
this free program, preschool through sixth grade
classes are invited to participate in a project to
increase agriculture literacy in the classroom.
There are two classes for the competition,
class one is preschool through second grades and class
two is third through sixth grades.
Complimentary
Create An Animal kits are being offered to teachers
countywide to teach students about the agricultural
industry and its importance to life.
The free kits, sponsored by American Ag Credit,
include an illustrated book, educational video,
activities for the classroom, and a fabricated wood
sawhorse to be used as a base by the students to
create their dairy goat.
“The
initial response to the announcement of the annual
program has been impressive,” said Mary Hemminger,
deputy manager of the Stanislaus County Fair.
“More than two-thirds of the 65 kits that
American Ag Credit provided are now in the hands of
teachers throughout the community.
However, our goal is to offer the opportunity
to participate to all teachers and we are encouraging
those interested to take advantage of the remaining
free kits.”
Cash prizes are awarded to classes whose crafty
animals are rated superior $40, good $30 and average
$20 by project judges.
The
finished products of the dairy goats will be on
display at the Stanislaus County Fair, which opens for
it’s 10-day run on Friday, July 30.
Teachers
who want to register for the free program or who would
like more information can call the Stanislaus County
Fair office at (209) 668-1333.
The deadline to register for the program is
July 1 by 5 p.m. Kits are available on a first-come,
first-served basis as supplies last, so early
registration is encouraged!
Once kits have been reserved, teachers need to
stop by the fairgrounds office at 900 N. Broadway in
Turlock to complete and sign an entry form, pick up
entry information, their curriculum and dairy goat
bases.
The
Stanislaus County Fair is now in its 93rd
year. The 2004 fair opens Friday, July 30 for a 10-day run.
The theme of this year’s fair is “Say
Cheese!”
Last year
more than 225,000 people enjoyed the fair. In 2002 and again in 2003, Modesto Bee readers voted
the Stanislaus County Fair their “Favorite
All-Around Event” in the Bee’s Reader’s
Choice Awards.
The mission of the Stanislaus County Fair is to
provide a family and community oriented experience
promoting agriculture, education, entertainment and
technology. For
more information about the Stanislaus County Fair log
onto www.stancofair.com.
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Electronic photo available. E-mail requests to
PRConsultingPennie@charter.net
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