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As spring weather begins to appear, Patumahoe sisters Annie and Emily Crisp are busy preparing for the Mauku School Country Life Day.
Annie, 8, is entering Friesian calf Lola, her second year bringing a calf to her school’s version of agriculture day.
“Calves are a lot easier to raise than lambs,” she told the Franklin Times.
Her sister Emily, 6, has Ava the Suffolk/Coopworth lamb – although she would also love to
bring along Maudie the little Coopworth too.
Agricultural Day (ag day/calf club/country day/pet day etc) is a key day on the event calendar for rural/country schools. The purpose of Ag Day is to promote and encourage children to care for and be responsible for an animal, while also embracing the school’s rural roots.
Usually open to the public or the local community, this is also a family day. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, mums, dads and members of the community are invited to come along, watch the children show their animals and see the horticultural or art displays.
Some, like Pukekohe Christian School and Waiuku Primary School, hold school-only events.
While others, like Mauku School, hold gala-style activities alongside animal showing.
Below we’ve included a list of known ag days across the wider Franklin area.
- September 6: Mauku School Country Life Day* (9am to 1pm).
- September 13: Bombay School Calf Club, Ramarama School Calf Club Day, Patumahoe School Calf Club Day, Puni School Country Day* (8.30am to 12.30pm), Karaka School Ag Day* (9am start), Pukekohe East Ag/Pet Day* (8.30am to 1pm).
- September 18: Aka Aka School Calf Club (10am to 1pm), Orere School Ag Day. 19: Clevedon School Ag Day (9.30am to 12pm).
- September 20: Ararimu School Calf Club* (9am start), Drury School Calf Club Day, Buckland School Ag Day, Te Hihi School Ag Day (9am to 2pm), Glenbrook School Calf Club Day (9am to 1pm).
- October 10: Awhitu District School Calf Club Day, Pukekawa School Ag Day (9.30am to 2pm).
- October 11: Harrisville School Pet Day Gala* (9am to 1pm), Otaua School Calf Club, Pukeoware School Calf Club Day* (10am to 1pm), Waiau Pa School Calf Club*, Hunua School Ag Day.
- October 17: Mangatangi Calf and Lamb Day, Waipipi School Calf Club Day.
- October 18: Onewhero Area School*, Maramarua School Calf and Lamb Day.
This list was current when Franklin Times went to print. Are we missing your agriculture day? Email editor@franklintimes.co.nz with the details, and we will update our list.
Check your local school for any updates.
* Denotes additional activities.