Purdue Extension to host open barn day at local horse breeding farm
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service is hosting an open barn day at RX Acres Belgian breeding farm from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday (April 3).
The event is free and open to the public, and no reservations are required. Visitors will have the chance to see young foals, tour the barns and view stallions, said Mark Russell, Purdue Extension equine specialist. RX Acres Belgian breeding farm staff also will be available to give out information.
"To me, this is consistent with Purdue Extension's desire to educate the general public or people who are curious about what we do - in this case with broodmares, foals and breeding," Russell said.
Open barn days are a way for people to learn about things they normally don't see up close, and sponsoring events like this is an important part of Purdue Extension, Russell said.
"Somehow we need to better connect the population of the United States and Indiana with farm animals," he said. "This isn't directly where their food comes from, but I think most of us no longer live on farms, and we don't get this opportunity.
"At some point, the population needs to relate to agriculture and animals to better understand what people do and why they do it in agriculture production."
RX Acres, located at 8957 S. 300 E. in Brookston, specializes in breeding and training Belgian and Clydesdale draft horses. More information and directions are available on the farm's Web site at https://www.rxacresbelgians.com
Writer: Julie Preble, 765-494-8402, jmpreble@purdue.edu
Source: Mark Russell, 765-494-7677, mrussell@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
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