Gene Witt Elementary hosts Florida Field and Farm Days

Students learned about the agriculture industry during Florida Field and Farm Days from speakers such as Reagan Ranch owner Wes Reagan.

By Liz Ramos
| 2:30 p.m. May 18, 2023

Wesley Hoben, a Gene Witt Elementary School fourth grader, practices with a lasso.

East County
Schools

Kayleen Zieschang, a Gene Witt Elementary School fourth grader, grabbed a lasso and started rotating it above her head.

She tossed the lasso toward the fake steer head and to her surprise, the lasso went around the head.

Her classmates cheered.

Zieschang said it was fun to try throwing the lasso and learning something new.

The lasso demonstration from Reagan Ranch was a part of the Florida Field and Farm Days May 18. Students were able to hear from professionals in the agriculture industry while participating in enrichment activities that brought the book "A Land Remembered" to life.

Zieschang said learning about cattle, how to lasso, what life was like in the 1900s and the agriculture industry was interesting.

"I feel like a lot has changed since the 1900s," she said.

Wes Reagan, the owner of Reagan Ranch, loved being able to teach students about the agriculture industry.

"Agriculture is so important to me and dear to my heart," he said. "It's amazing for us to be able to come in and teach students how this can be a lifestyle in agriculture."

He hopes Florida Field and Farm Days inspires students to get involved in the agriculture industry.

Gene Witt Elementary School students learn about life in the 1900s.

Jim McAlister talks to students about cow whips.

Gene Witt Elementary School students watch carefully as Clayton Reagan with Reagan Ranch demonstrates how to use a lasso.

Aliyah Craig, a Gene Witt Elementary School fourth grader, learns how to use a lasso.

Kayleen Zieschang, a Gene Witt Elementary School fourth grader, uses a lasso to try to catch a fake cow.

David Hunt talks to students about the cattle industry.

Brian Fielder keeps Lizzie, a horse, in place while Gene Witt Elementary School students pet her.

Gene Witt Elementary School fourth grader Michael Kildow shows love to Lizzie, a horse.

Brian Fielder shows Lizzie, a horse, to Gene Witt Elementary School fourth grader Marquis Adams.

Dean Mixon, who owns Mixon Fruit Farms, explains how citrus fruits are collected.

Clayton Reagan with Reagan Ranch shows Gene Witt Elementary School Principal Connie Dixon how to lasso.

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.