Each spring CALS throws open the barn doors to thousands of area school children, teachers and families for a unique hands-on experience with agriculture.

“I tell everybody it’s kind of like our open house for all the people who want to know where their food comes from,” said Billy Flowers, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Animal Science.

Little hands can pet goats and sheep, pick up chicks and try to lasso a dummy steer. There are tractors to climb on, “Molly the Cow” and “Porky the Pig” mascots to meet, and of course, free Howling Cow ice cream. Daily presentations by faculty, students and local producers cover different animal agriculture topics.

Farm Animal Days always draws thousands, and this year’s event was no exception. Despite having to cancel one of the three days because of inclement weather, event organizers say that more than 8,500 people from 22 North Carolina counties attended.

The event is sponsored by the CALS departments of Animal Science, Poultry Science and Food Science and is hosted by the Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory.

Check out our video for a peek at this year’s event. And be sure to keep an eye on the Farm Animal Days website for the 2018 dates. You won’t want to miss it!

This post was originally published in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences News.