4-H member Spencer Orr, of Clear Lake, holds a young pig Saturday at Southbridge Mall in Mason?City, as part of a national farm/city celebration. Samantha Papouchis, of Mason?City, is also in the pen. Both 4-H’ers are members of the Boots and Spurs 4-H?Club.

By CLAYTON RYE

Farm News staff writer

MASON CITY – As part of National Farm/City Week, the Cerro Gordo County Farm Bureau organized an event at the Southbridge Mall on Saturday. This was the eighth year of holding an event in honor of the week.

Organizer Linda Anderegg said, “The goal of the event is to show how rural and urban people need each other.”

Live animals were displayed in pens, a pedal tractor pull was held, a tractor waited outside the Mall to provide rides. An ethanol education trailer was parked in the lot to show how ethanol is beneficial.

Norah Truax, 2, of Rockwell, is enamored with a fluffy chick, during the Farm/City Day celebration.

Food samples were given away that included fresh carrots, hard-boiled eggs, popcorn, string cheese and summer sausage from Mason City area growers and producers.

Other displays showed the advantages of locally grown food, the Ag in the Classroom program and the 4-H and Iowa State University Extension programs.

Anyone could participate in a scavenger hunt requiring a person to visit the different booths, answering questions from the different displays, both inside and outside the Mall.

Anderegg said the hunt was “educational and fun.”

She said she often hears participants say, “I never knew this before.”

At the conclusion of the event, Anderegg said those managing booths and displays said they were pleased with the public’s response, who looked and asked questions.

Anderegg said those with booths and displays have already committed to next year’s event.

There is more room for any ag related groups or businesses to be a part of 2012’s Farm/City Week observance at the Mall.

Anderegg can be contacted at the Cerro County Farm Bureau office at (641) 423-5824)

Contact Clayton Rye at crye@wctatel.net.