Junior Ranchers program introduces campers to life in agriculture

Kids get a firsthand look at chickens, pigs and cows at the Lakewood Ranch High School camp.

By Liz Ramos
| 6:00 p.m. June 27, 2023

Bridget Ipjian, a rising junior, laughs as a chicken rests on her back.

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John Rubalcaba, a rising third grader, had never been around farm animals before.

But he wasn't shy when it came time to hold a chicken inside the chicken coop at Lakewood Ranch High School.

He grabbed a chicken in each of his hands while Bridget Ipjian, a rising junior and a camp counselor, set a third chicken on his shoulder.

"I love animals and being at farms," Rubalcaba said.

Rubalcaba was able to get up close and personal with cows, chickens and pigs during Lakewood Ranch High School FFA's Junior Ranchers summer camp June 27.

He met Lucy, a Dakin Dairy cow, who was brought to the school so the campers could learn how cows are milked.

Courtney Dakin with the Florida Ag Experience, which is a branch of Dakin Dairy, was thrilled to be with the campers to teach them about dairy cows.

"A lot of people don't understand how important it is to (develop) farmers here and how important it is to expose kids to agriculture," she said. "They're the ones coming up, and if they don't go into agriculture, no one will."

The camp, which runs June 26-30, taught campers about various aspects of agriculture such as plants, animals, insects and the environment.

Lydia Egolf, a rising third grader, said the camp will help her prepare for her future in agriculture.

Lucy loves getting attention from campers and counselors like Danyl Young, a rising sophomore.

Peyton Pressley, a rising third grader, meets Lucy, a Dakin Dairy cow. She learned how to milk cows.

Byron Smith, a rising junior, takes OD for a walk before letting campers interact with her.

Campers Lydia Egolf, Peyton Pressley, Olivia Rushmore and Ethan Carr and camp counselor Byron Simon talk about the different breeds of pigs while petting OD.

Lydia Egolf, a rising third grader, tries her best to guide Tammy on a walk.

Leigh Ann Gilbert helps Lydia Egolf, a rising third grader, practice walking a pig.

Peyton Pressley, a rising fourth grader, tries her hand at walking a pig with the help of camp counselor Byron Sim, a rising junior.

OD plays around in the mud after going for a long walk.

Junior Ranchers campers listen as Courtney Dakin with the Florida Agriculture Experience explains how a cow is milked.

Sofie Hall, a rising third grader, holds a chicken close to her.

Evan Carr, a rising fifth grader, learns about how to take care of chickens.

Noah Rueping, a rising senior, watches over campers in the chicken coop and teaches them how to property hold a chicken.

John Rubalcaba, a rising third grader, says he wanted to participate in Junior Ranchers because he likes animals and being at farms.

Brynn Shear, a rising sixth grader, holds six chickens at once.

Dak loves meeting Junior Ranchers campers.

Emma Syfert, a rising sophomore, cares for Aries. Syfert has been a member of FFA since she was in sixth grade.

Mary Anne Poulton, a rising fourth grader, bonds with Dak.

Moose is one of the cows Junior Ranchers campers have the opportunity to meet and care for during camp.

Kendall Huerta, a rising junior, takes care of Yeti.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.