Nathan Slyter, 5, was just about to stick his finger through the wire of the turkey pen at Renken Farms when his mother, Debbie, warned him against that action.
“Why?” he asked.
“Because it will look like a worm,” cautioned Greg Johnson, a fifth generation farmer conducting the tour.
That drew laughter from Slyter and his parents, including father Scott. The family moved to The Dalles a couple of years ago and plan to make a visit to Renken (named after Johnson’s grandparents) an annual event.
“It’s super fun, we love it,” said Scott. “Nathan really is enjoying it and that’s what matters most.”
While at the petting zoo on the farm, 3050 Three Mile Road, Nathan was able to feed several varieties of goats and watch pigs root in the mud to find a comfortable resting spot.
Greg and his wife, Kim, invite other families to join Nathan in learning more about farm life with a visit to the Pumpkin Patch during the month of October. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, the usual pumpkin patch activities — a hay slide and pumpkin (and pear) slingshot — will be supplemented with other country-living fun for the 11th annual Harvest Fest.
The festivities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. include live music, scarecrow making, a children’s story time, fresh apple cider and more.
Mark Johnson, the sixth generation of the family to farm, will be the conductor for the barrel train that he designed and built for the entertainment of visitors. Admission is free and people can purchase tickets for designated activities. Food items and seasonal produce will be sold.
People are asked to leave their pets at home.
The Johnsons said the purpose of opening their farm in October is to educate people about where their food comes from. With less than 2 percent of the U.S. population now farming, Greg and Kim said many families know little about agricultural practices.
“This is not just a job, it’s a lifestyle,” said Greg.
Proceeds from Harvest Fest benefit the Great ‘N Small childcare center operated as a department of Mid-Columbia Medical Center.
“They have been wonderful community partners and very generous with their time and business,” said Valerie Kendrick, director of Great ‘N Small, which is located at the corner of Oregon and 19th streets.
She said money raised by the Johnsons is put into the Outdoor Development Program and has been used in recent years to purchase playground equipment, build a tree house and amphitheater, install drinking fountains and provide a covered play area, as well as a garden.
“This is a family-friendly event, there’s not anything scary — just a true, old-fashioned celebration,” said Kendrick.’
Great ‘N Small has space for 116 children (full and part-time), ages six weeks to 12, and primarily serves hospital and health care employees, although other families also utilize services. There is a waiting list for most age groups and more information is available at 541-296-7579.
Visit renkenfarms.com to learn more about the festival or call 541-296-3024.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.