Montevallo kindergarteners through third graders peered eagerly through the iron railing and cages to see cows, goats, horses, chickens and rabbits.

The event, held at Montevallo High School FFA Agriculture Science Department last Thursday, was Career and Farm Day as part of Future Farmers of America week.

In addition to learning about animals, the Shelby County Farmers Federation and Shelby County Women’s Committee provided nearly 500 coloring books in which children learn that the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the wood for our homes come from Alabama farms.

They also learned that agriculture is Alabama’s largest industry.

According to information provided by Jane Jones, &uot;Children today need to know about agriculture because they can never experience a nonagriculture day. Our lifeline is the farmer. Agriculture is our growing future.&uot;

It was pointed out there is also a website for Ag In The Classroom at www.alabamaaitc.org for classroom activities for all subjects, grades 1-6.

Keith Adair, FFA adviser at Montevallo High School, also noted that in addition to the classes of children who came through to see the exhibits, there were 32 FFA members in official dress to talk about and explain each animal.

Children thrilled as a chicken surprised them with a freshly laid egg. And a popular exhibit was the miniature horse &uot;Bug&uot; owned by Sarah Seevers of Montevallo.

The little horse, bred to pull carts, stands only 48 inches tall.

Adair said also invited were students in grades eight through 12 who toured the department for interesting careers in the field of agriculture.

According to Adair, the FFA is a national organization with more than 465,000 members and is 76 years old this year.

Today members are engaged in a wide range of agricultural and educational activities leading to more than 300 career opportunities in the food, fiber and natural resources industry.

Representing Montevallo were Mayor Sharon Anderson, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ben McCrory, Phyllis French, assistant Career and Tech Director, Leland Atchison, president of the Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association and James E. and Jane Jones representing ALFA organizations that donated the coloring books