PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — The City of Pinellas Park wants you to know about one of their relatively new offerings from Parks and Rec.
In one of the most densely populated parts of the Sunshine State, animals roam in the fully functioning Patti Johnson Farm.
They are having feel-good contests to get more awareness of what is happening there.
Spectrum Bay News 9 went there for a visit recently, as they were finishing an online competition with the community for the prettiest pig.
The Patti Johnson Farm has their own pig. Penelope is the resident piggy at the farm.
It was established just two years ago, and the farm is now open for business.
“You can just show up, which we have an entrance gate,” said Tammy Peterson who is one of the farm managers. “We have a large cowbell; you ring the cowbell, and we can hear it all over the farm.”
You will also hear the animals of course.
From a piggy to a turkey’s gobble, you will also find goats, a donkey, a horse, a steer, and several other Old MacDonald favorites.
Tammy Peterson is one of the farm managers at Patti Johnson.
She told Spectrum News their business is to educate the public with this living classroom.
Last month, in a video taken by city workers and posted on the city’s Facebook page, they handed out prizes to the best in show.
“We started out with a rabbit and chicken show competition,” said Tammy. “That’s where it started. And then we were like what other animals can we do?”
Penelope is part of the inspiration for Pinellas Park’s prettiest pig contest.
Patti Reed, who is a member of the city council, produced the online contest.
Her late mother Patti Johnson, who was also a council member in Pinellas Park, spearheaded the idea to obtain and develop the farm, according to farm manager Tammy’s retelling.
For the contest, participants sent in their pet pig pictures online.
Two piggies are receiving the honor.
Tammy said the competitions and other farm events will continue as they bring awareness to the farm.
They hope to be a common classroom destination for schools in Pinellas County and the rest of Tampa Bay.
“Kids can go in the garden, pick items for a pizza and hopefully we will have like an outdoor kitchen where we can make pizza,” Tammy said. “And they can add their ingredients from the garden in the pizza. Cook the pizza and then they could eat it, so it’s really farm to table.”
So, it is not only the animals on this farm that will get some attention.
The farm is producing their own fruits and vegetables to feed the animals.
The produce will be used for the school presentations and other activities.
Roy De Jesus
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