IN THE PAST, NEARLY EVERY FAMILY HAD A RELATIVE WHO DEVOTED THEIR LIFE TO FARMING, AND NEARLY EVERY CHILD GREW UP WITH AN EXPOSURE TO FARM LIFE. TODAY, THERE ARE VERY FEW FARMERS LEFT, AND MANY CHILDREN ONLY LEARN ABOUT FARMS FROM PICTURE BOOKS. OUR EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIP PROGRAM ATTEMPTS TO REACH THESE CHILDREN AND GIVE THEM A HANDS-ON FARM EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER.
IN 1997 WE ADDED A NEW PROGRAM TIED TO OUR PUMPKIN FESTIVAL WHERE FIFTH GRADERS VISITED THE UNION AND CONFEDERATE CAMPS AND RECEIVED INSTRUCTION FROM THE REENACTORS ABOUT THE MANY FACETS OF CIVIL WAR LIFE. SOME OF THE TOPICS INCLUDED CALVARY, ARTILLERY, INFANTRY, CAMP LIFE, AND MEDICS.
WE HOPE YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR TIME WITH US, AND THAT WE CAN HELP YOUR CHILDREN CATCH A GLIMPSE OF DAYS PAST WHEN LIFE WAS A LITTLE SLOWER, A LITTLE SWEETER, AND A LOT SIMPLER.
THE HUNSADER FAMILIES

IN THE PETTING ZOO, CHILDREN WILL MEET ALL OF OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS INCLUDING CHICKENS; TURKEYS; DUCKS; GEESE; A PEACOCK; DONKEY; SHEEP; CALF; PIGS; GOATS; LITTLE BIT THE LLAMA' JEAN, MICKEY, THE EMU; MISS VASHTI THE LAMB' AND HARLI THE POTBELLY PIG- DURING THE ANIMAL TOUR THERE WILL BE A STOP AT OUR BUTTERFLY GARDEN, HOME TO 24 SPECIES OF PLANTS AND 15 SPECIES OF BUTTERFLIES.

AFTER YOUR VISIT, WE INVITE YOU TO ENJOY A SACK LUNCH IN ONE OF OUR SHADED PICNIC AREAS THEN PAY A VISIT TO THE BARNYARD PLAYGROUND. THE PLAYGROUND INCLUDES A KIDDIE BARN, TRACTOR TRACK, GIGANTIC SANDBOX, COWPOKE SWINGS, AND A FUN AND BEAUTIFUL PLAYSYSTEM. THE COST IS $1.00 PER CHILD

OUR PICNIC PROGRAM RUNS FROM THE END OF SEPTEMBER THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER AND FROM THE END OF MARCH TO THE END OF MAY. TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EVERYONE'S VISIT, WE HAVE SET NEW, LOWER LIMITS FOR THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND NUMBER OF GROUPS WE WILL SCHEDULE EACH DAY. WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSIDER PLANNING YOUR VISIT IN THE SPRING- IT'S A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF YEAR AT THE FARM ! TO MAKE RESERVATIONS OR OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE PRODUCE MARKET AT 941-322-2168.

IF YOUR PICNIC DATE ARRIVES AND YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE WEATHER OR ARE RUNNING LATE, PLEASE CALL THE FARM AT 322-2168. IF YOUR GROUP IS NOT PRESENT AT YOUR SCHEDULED TIME, THE NEXT AVAILABLE GROUP WILL BE GIVEN YOUR TIME SPOT AND YOU WILL BE WORKED IN ACCORDINGLY.