N.C. State's Farm Animal Days scheduled next month

N.C. State's Farm Animal Days returns in April with old favorites and some new offerings this year.

The free event at the Lake Wheeler Road Field Laboratory, which is part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is designed for preschoolers to first graders. It's a popular field trip destination, but individuals and families are welcome to attend too.

The event gives kids a chance to see and touch farm animals and learn about farming. Tractors will be on display. Kids can touch chicks, turkeys, ducks, pigs, sheep, goats, and rabbits. They can see cows and horses. Visitors also will get a free cup of Howling Cow ice cream, which is made on N.C. State's campus and is creamy deliciousness.

New this year: They'll have an artificial dairy cow that kids can milk, along with new interactive animal displays. Every hour, someone from the animal science or poultry science departments will give a 15-minute presentation about animal agriculture and answer questions from the audience.

You need about an hour to see all of the exhibits. It's scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 10 to April 12. If you're going to go, the least busy times are 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. I usually get there right at 9 a.m. and there's a crowd by the time I leave around 10 a.m. The address is 4505 Mid Pines Rd., Raleigh.

For details, check the website.