VIENNA — The annual Future Farmers of America (FFA) Barnyard event returned this week, giving students from Maries County R-1 School District and surrounding local schools the chance to interact with a variety of farm animals while learning about agriculture and where their food comes from.

Eighth grade and under had the opportunity to pet and observe farm animals ranging from horses and mules to chickens, dogs and even baby calves. Children eagerly reached out to touch soft fur and feathers, while teachers and FFA team members guided them in identifying the animals and understanding their roles on a farm.

Sara Schwartze, Vienna FFA advisor, explained the purpose of the event and its focus on education.

“This is Food For America (an FFA program) and the goal is to educate the youth on where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture,” Schwartze said.

She said the program is designed to match the lessons to the students’ ages, with younger children receiving hands-on experiences and older students learning about more detailed agricultural concepts.

“First graders are wanting to pet and we teach them stuff such as this is the difference between a sheep and a goat or a chicken and a duck,” she said. “While the sixth graders are teaching more, such as this chicken gives you feathers, meat and eggs. The directions are geared depending on the different ages.”

Schwartze, who attended Maries R-1 and participated in the event as a student, said her passion for agriculture has only grown over the years.

“Agriculture is a huge part of my life and is very important to me and the fact I can continue to educate the public and see the same passion in my own students means a lot,” she said.

High school students play a vital role in the event, guiding younger children and explaining the animals’ significance. Alexis Curtis, a freshman at VHS (Vienna High School), helped lead students from station to station.

“It’s nice to show them what FFA is about and hopefully some of the kids see this and want to join and grow the organization,” Curtis said.

Lily Grace, vice president of the Vienna High School (VHS) FFA Chapter, said the event helps children understand the connection between animals and agriculture, even for those who already live on farms.

“A lot of these kids live on farms and have farm animals but are too young to understand how their farm animals relate to agriculture,” Grace said.

She added that some children may have pets at home but don’t understand how certain animals are used in farming.

“A lot of people have dogs but don’t live on farms so show them dogs and say these are used to herd cattle,” she said.

Grace, who grew up around farm animals and horses, also brought her two American Corto horses, known as Paso Corto Gait, to the event.

“I grew up with farm animals and horses and I knew once I was able to join FFA I would.”

VHS FFA Sentinel Max Keeran assisted with the younger students, making sure they had the chance to meet each animal safely and learn about its role on the farm.

“A bunch of kids thought the baby calf was a dog,” Keeran said while laughing. “I just told them what the animal was after that.”

Keeran has also attended the Barnyard in past years.

“I used to go to this event, I am not a professional but I love to teach these kids because a lot of them don’t get to be around these kinds of animals,” he said.

Throughout the day, children crowded around the animals while the sounds of laughter, excited chatter, and the occasional bleat or neigh filled the air. Older students patiently helped younger ones hold animals and explained their role in food production and farm life.

Some students have never encountered a baby calf or a Paso Corto horse up close, and their wide eyes and hesitant hands reflected a mix of curiosity and awe. For many, it was a first-time experience, while for others it reinforced lessons learned at home or on family farms.

The FFA Barnyard event is an annual tradition that continues to inspire curiosity, foster learning and connect generations through hands-on agricultural education. With high school students leading the way and the guidance of experienced advisors like Schwartze, the program provides a meaningful experience for children.