MATTHEW BURNETTE, Staff Writer

Coffee County Farm Bureau celebrated National Ag Day by inviting local kindergarten through first graders to their Manchester branch for some activities based around local agriculture.

Students got the chance to pet farm animals such as cows and sheep, sit on various pieces of farm equipment that were on hand, and learn about soap carving from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency was also set up to teach the students about local wildlife.

Inside the Farm Bureau’s Corral Room, several exhibits were set up to teach the children about subjects like raising chickens, milking cows and growing apples.

“Inside we’ve got a bunch of exhibits that just helps them learn more about the animals as far as where their clothing’s made and where the food comes from and gardening, those kinds of things,” said Manchester Branch Manager Brad Davenport.

“It’s a fun but educational hands-on day for the kids,” he added.

During the event, Davenport, who has managed the Manchester branch since 2024 after filling the same role at the Woodbury branch for three years, could be found helping students on and off of a Kubota tractor and holding a lamb for them to pet.

He said his favorite part of the event is the kids.

“It’s neat to sit there and see the expressions on their face,” said Davenport.

He also noted that while the event offers opportunities for fun, it also introduces the students to subjects they may not have been exposed to before.

“To me it’s amazing that we’ve got kids that are here that have never seen a tractor and have never seen a cow up close where they could actually touch it and pet it,” he explained. “To them, they have no idea that that’s what the hamburger is in the store or where their steaks come from.”