Local farmers show students where they get their food

Columbine Elementary joined Nutrition Services, School Wellness to celebrate Colorado Proud School Meal Day.

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Students at Columbine Elementary School look at food for livestock at a farm-to-table event Wednesday, September 23, 2021
Photo by Monte Whaley

The chickens were interesting and everyone wanted to know how bees make their honey. But the big star at Wednesday’s farming show-and-tell at Columbine Elementary was Westley, a 16-month-old horse who likes to show off a bit.

“Oh he loves it,” said Westley’s owner, Niwot High School senior Lilly Thomas. “He also likes little kids.”

Curious students at Columbine were enamored with Westley, peppering Lilly with questions about Westley’s diet, where he came from and what exactly Westley does all day.

“This is good,” said Theresa Spires, Wellness Coordinator for Nutrition Services for the St. Vrain Valley School District. “This is what we wanted to do. Educate our youth about local agriculture and help them understand our food system.” …

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