NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Join the SFA Beef Center and Stephen F. Austin State University's Nacogdoches Naturally Family Outdoor Adventure Program for "Farm and Forestry Day" from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 26, at the Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center located 5.5 miles north of Nacogdoches on State Highway 259.
The free barnyard event is a chance for children and their families to be exposed to the farm animals at the SFA Beef Center and gain awareness of the many educational experiences available from SFA's Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.
"This is a way for the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture to give back to the community that supports it and provide community members and their families a memorable experience," said Kerry Lemon, project director of Nacogdoches Naturally.
On display will be a variety of farm animals, including cows, goats, sheep, horses, pigs and donkeys, and many of the animals will have young offspring. In addition to educational booths, activities will include hayrides, face painting, outdoor cooking, crafts, games and more. The event will be family friendly with fun activities for all ages.
Designed to acquaint the community with the natural resource fields available at SFA, "Farm and Forestry Day" highlights the synergistic nature of agriculture and forest/wildlife management. Faculty members from the forestry and agriculture college have begun research in agroforestry and silvopasture at the SFA Beef Farm. Agroforestry and silvopasture involve growing lumber-producing trees with food crops or forage under the canopy.
The SFA Beef Center, operated by the SFA Department of Agriculture, provides hands-on instruction to undergraduate students and a place for graduate student research, as well as services to local producers, FFA members and 4-H members. To find the SFA Beef Center, travel north on State Highway 259 from Nacogdoches, and turn right on County Road 123 at the sign for the Walter C. Todd Agriculture Research Center. Continue past the Equestrian Center to the Beef Center.
For more information, contact Kerry Lemon at (936) 468-5586 or lemonkb@sfasu.edu or Dr. Erin Brown at (936) 468-3705 or browneg@sfasu.edu.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!