Nebraska’s Largest Classroom teaches kids about farm animals

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - There are plenty of activities at the Nebraska State Fair, and a crowd favorite is witnessing farm animals give birth.

In fact, Nebraska State Fair visitors who went into the Birthing Pavilion saw a goat give birth on Tuesday. They also saw other animals with their newborns and learned about them. Officials said animals in the pavilion will give birth at anytime, and Tuesday was a perfect day to teach kids about farm animals.

“Today is Nebraska’s Largest Classroom, and we have all theses kids come through and experience animal agriculture,” said Barrett Huneke, a veterinarian at the fair.. “It’s awesome to get them to experience a little bit of the farm here in the middle of the city. It’s not everywhere that you can see a goat give birth.”

Huneke said the event is all about giving everyone a little taste of agriculture. He said for most people watching an animal give birth is a once in a lifetime experience.

“The importance of this is all about animal agriculture,” said Huneke. “Getting them experience, getting everybody a little bit of taste of animal ag, and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for a lot of people. Not a lot of people are able to see these goats, sheep and cows give birth.”

Huneke said for some, the fair provides a unique opportunity to witness such an experience.

“What keeps this exciting is being able to talk to the public about anything and everything,” he said. “Getting to educate the public about animals and babies and giving birth. The real thing is public education.”

Huneke said being able to bring the farm to the city always gets him excited about the event.

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