Goats teach Willows students responsibility
WILLOWS » Willows High School students with special needs get to learn all about taking care of animals at the high school farm.
The Mighty Honker Goat Program at Willows High School pairs Future Farmers of America general education students with those who have special needs. The goal is to mentor and teach developmentally disabled students how to properly feed, exercise, clean, care and groom goats for show and auction. The 2022 Mighty Honker Goat Program will conclude at the Glenn County Fair that runs May 17 through 22.
The students visit the farm every other day to care for their goats as part of their agricultural issues class. The goats were born in October.
“It teaches them responsibility,” said teacher Staci Alves. “There’s a bond between special education students and the general education department.”
Golden State Farm Credit is the main sponsor of the program and Golden State Farm Credit employee Kris Costa handles community outreach. The program pays for student fees and the fair uniforms, for example.
“They get to take care of animals and learn a very unique skillset,” Costa said.
The students very much enjoy taking care of animals and working together.
Carla Hernandez is a junior and is taking the class.
“I was inspired to help out the kids,” Hernandez said. “I didn’t know how much I would like it. The kids fell in love with the goats. I’m excited to see the fair. I’m so grateful our school has this.”
Hernandez would like to become a doctor someday and is taking the ag issues class as an elective.
Special education student Adam Dyck named his goat Bob, which he said “came out of his head.” Dyck said he has learned a lot from taking the class and wants to take it again next year. His uncle has a farm. He is looking forward to riding the amusement park rides at the fair.
Eleventh grade student Brannon Bippus is Dyck’s mentor.
‘It’s such a cool experience,” Bippus said. “I like to see kids with big smiles.”
Bippus is also showing a steer at the fair.
Golden State Farm Credit is based in Chico and is a big sponsor of seven fairs this year, including Silver Dollar and Butte County Fairs. Golden State Farm Credit’s Chief Executive Officer cancelled $300,000 worth of advertising during COVID-19 and has put it all into programs and community organizations that support agriculture. “The impact these donations have had for local agriculture during a pandemic has been remarkable,” said Marketing and Public Relations consultant Nicole Johansson.
The Mighty Honker Goats will be shown by the special education students Wednesday, May 18 at the Glenn County Fairgrounds.
The goats will be auctioned Saturday, May 21.
“I’m told there is not a dry eye in the room and the bidding for these goats is quite fun to watch. Everyone wants to buy these animals,” Johansson said.
Eleventh grade student Kate Amaro is a mentor and junior adviser. Her uncle is a farmer.
“This has really taught me a lot about leadership,” Amaro said. “I love seeing the sides of special needs student Jose Fletes and how happy it makes him. The kids are excited about showing. You learn a lot about yourself and others. I see the smiles and nothing else matters. This program is one of a kind.”
Amaro plans to major in agricultural business in college. She will be showing rabbits at the fair.
Amaro’s mother Diane Amaro is a parent adviser in the class.
“It’s very rewarding,” she said. “I work behind the scenes.” Diane Amaro visits the farm once a week to help out.
“This program’s motto is to stay humble and kind,” Diane Amaro said.
Golden State Farm Credit highlighted the program in its annual report because they are the main underwriting sponsor that makes this program possible, according to a press release.