Third graders from around the county met all kinds of livestock including a pig named Blue Cheese.

This article was written by BenitoLink intern Jessica Parga. Lea este artículo en español aquí.

Tuesday, March 18 was “Farm Day” at Bolado Park—an event hosted by the San Benito County Farm Bureau that is “dedicated to raising awareness about the invaluable contributions of agriculture to our local community and economy.”

All third-graders in San Benito County are invited to the annual event, which attracts more than 800 students every year. 

Students gather during a presentation from Spinaca Farms at Bolado Park. Photo by Jessica Parga

“That’s a really big cow for one year old!”

Lyla, third grader

Cerra Vista students react to 4H member, Livie Muenzer (left), as she tells them about her one year old steer, Snoop, and how much he weighs.
Lyla (right) pets a steer for the first time with her classmates. Photo by Jessica Parga
R.O. Hardin Elementary School students reach out to pet a pig named Blue Cheese brought by Ausaymas 4H member, Grace. Photo by Jessica Parga

“I’ve never actually seen a dog like that and it was really cool to see.”

cole M., 9, on watching the herding dogs
Students watch as Nate Smith’s dog, Gordy, herds sheep at Bolodo Park. Photo by Jessica Parga
Students explore a towering tractor brought by Top Flavor Farms. Photo by Jessica Parga
Spring Grove students sit in one of the huge tractor wheels on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Photo by Jessica Parga

“I learned about animals … What do they eat? What do they do? What they play with and what are the materials that they use to take care of the animals and how to ride them and how do they protect each other.”

Yaretzi Gomez, 8
Students from Hollister Dual Language Academy watch as Everest sniffs out a package with plant material in it. Everest is a California Agricultural Detection Canine. She helps find packages filled with food or plants that may contain invasive pests and diseases. Photo by Jessica Parga

The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour, United Way, Taylor Farms and the Emma Bowen Foundation.

Jessica attended San Diego State University and grew her love of journalism at the school paper, The Daily Aztec. Her photography took her across San Diego, shooting watersports in the bay to farmland...