New event at fair will teach kids the economics of running a farm

Photo kids participating in similar event, courtesy of Cindy Benedict.

The Manchester Community Fair will feature a new “farm” this summer, the River Raisin Farm! The River Raisin Farm is a mock farm that will give kids a hands on opportunity to become farm hands. Fair organizers will set up a number of stations set up to replicate a working farm. People will enter the event and be guided through each station. Cindy Benedict of the Manchester Community Fair Board explained, “Using a self-guided path these farm hands will collect products at each station by planting & harvesting crops, and feeding  & tending animals.  They will “sell” these collected goods at the on-site farmers market where they will be given “cash” to use for healthy snacks at the on-site grocery store.”

This event will be free to the public with admission to the fair. The Manchester Community Fair is coming to Alumni Memorial Field on the corner of Wolverine and Vernon Streets, July 11 to 15, with the fair parade  kicking off the fair on Tuesday the 11th at 6:30 pm.

Benedict stated, “We can’t thank the sponsors of this event enough for their generous donations. They’ve made this event possible and hope that everyone really enjoys what we’ve created. Credit to Stacey Neigebauer for coming up with the idea. Along with Steve Harvey, they spearheaded the event and made this exactly as we had hoped it would be. A special thank you to our sponsors: R.G. Wahl Roehm Heating & Cooling, John Marion Elevator, Nate Gust-Farm Bureau, Pioneer Seeds – Megan Gust, David Jedele, Huehl Acres, Albers Orchard, Harvey Law, PLLC, Meadowview Farms, LLC, Tractor Supply, Greeenstone Farm Credit Services, Adam & Amanda Corwin – Real Estate One, Young Cabinetry, Old National Bank, Michigan Farm Bureau – Washtenaw County.”

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.