Farm Fest




Guess who forgot her sunglasses?

 

This event was called a "Farm fest";  we thought it would be similar to our county fair; however, it was the country's recognition of this year's "best organic farm " The farm fest included self-tours of animals in the huge dairy barn, beautiful, relatively new, well- maintained, farming equipment, 2-ton rolled bales of hay in plastic wrap (becoming silage), and brochures on the farmer's practices.  But, most surprisingly the only things being sold were from four food and drink booths.  The open space, approximately 4-acres of land, was devoted to dozens of educational  activities strictly for the several hundred children that were present.



Sarah and Sofia (Left to Right)
filling up Easter Baskets

 
The children participate in at least 5-activities each.  Upon completing each chosen activity, the child receives a stamp on their farm fest card.  When 5-stamps appear they can turn the card in for a special surprise gift as they exit for home.  Here, Sofia and Sarah take flowers from the baskets and make bouquets in damp sand.  The Czech people take the stewardship of the land very seriously and like most cultures they have great concern about the welfare of their children.




Not quite a county fair but one
heck of a day for the children!



At the left people sit on the banks of a beautiful, fast flowing river; in the foreground a few of the many childrens' activity tables; in the background 4-food booths; and at this moment in the center is a music teacher  leading a group of about 50 children on 50-drums.  Each child volunteered to play a drum, and when the director got them going, the amplified rhythm  was amazing -- a drum concert that was audible at both ends of this valley!



Spinning yarn from wool,
the old fashioned way.



This Czech woman demonstrated how yarn is spun from lamb's wool and then her English speaking daughter put the yarn on a small loom and demonstrated weaving. In another demonstration on a similar, simpler, wooden machine the children were able to make a piece of rope from animal hair, which they then took home with them.




What do you mean it look like
a dragon, it's a dog!


In this particular valley the soil is "Hawaiian red" and the clay is great for forming and firing.  Here, the grandchildren make some animals out of clay.
At the next station the children made a flat bread the size of a silver dollar from flour and water.  Once made, the children put it on an outdoor, wood-fired, flat grill and cooked their bread -- of course they ate it.