They came in droves to get their free breakfast and to see what really happens on the farm. On my way to Raymond Stutzman’s farm in Morenci, Mich., I figured I would blow in, take some pictures, talk to a few people and blow out of there in a half-hour.

When I drove up and found a field full of about 500 cars, I realized I had it all wrong.

I hopped on a wagon full of people and watched as wagonload after load in a constant stream headed to the farmstead. Sitting next to a little girl named Javyn, we talked about what she was about to see. This five-year-old had never been on a farm. She was looking for pigs, chickens and horses.
I wondered what she would think when she arrived on the farm to find feeder steers. No pigs, no horses and no chickens. Would she be disappointed? Or would she find a vast array of learning opportunities and cast her hopes of scratching the nose of a horse aside?

When Javyn and I just happened to plop down on the same bale of straw on the wagon that was taking us to our cars, I was elated to be able to quiz her on what she thought about her first visit to the farm. She told me she’d had a great time and the best part of the whole event was the kittens. Although her mom tried her best to coax something different out of Javyn, it didn’t work; the kittens were the best for this little girl.

At first, I was dismayed that petting kittens was all she got out of this event where she was able to eat a full meal, play in corn, pet bunnies, climb on tractors, look at feeder cattle, win prizes, eat free ice cream and learn everything from soup to nuts about animal agriculture. But as I reflected on all the stations set up at this farm, I realized the parents at every turn were learning more than any of the kids ever wanted to learn.

These parents and grandparents were learning how farmers care about their environment, how they care about their livestock and how they were the first recyclers. They were able to discover where their hamburger comes from, how their milk is produced and even how to cook different cuts of meats to maximize the flavor. These grownups took a crash course in farming all under the guise of a free breakfast and fun for the kids.

When it was all said and done, nearly 2,000 people from nine different states enjoyed a full, free breakfast and farming fun prepared by 230 volunteers – all in the name of connecting consumer to producer.

It was an amazing event, to say the least. I say kudos to everyone who has opened their gate to let so many folks tromp all over their farm and stick their nose into every crack and crevice. And congratulations to the hundreds of volunteers who have made it happen all over the Midwest!

As far as the farm kittens being the highlight of Javyn’s experience, I realize that farm cats play a vital role on the farm – and if that’s what she enjoyed, then power to the farm cats.

 The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.