Tammy Hempel and her significant other, Dwight Teale, have opened a new petting zoo at Do It Again Ranch Adventures near Marshall after three years of hard work.
“We enjoy the animals and this is a way for us to share with the community,” said Hempel. “We also would like to have an educational aspect to what we’re doing out here.”
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Hempel explained one of their main goals is to help people understand where their food comes from.
“I think an important part of what we’re trying to convey is, where does your food come from?” she said. “Yes, the horses are for our entertainment, but the cow produces milk, which gives us cheese, yogurt, and butter. The goats can do the same thing for us. Cattle and goats also have a meat aspect to them. Some people even eat rabbit.
“So, we’re just trying to educate people on the livestock aspect of where their food comes from. Of course, there are also grain farmers out there. The fruits, vegetables and other produce are grown by farmers. This is where your food comes from. They’re an important part of the food chain.”
The ranch already offers sleigh rides and riding lessons but the petting zoo opens a new chapter.
“There’s something about nature and livestock that is just so peaceful and so relaxing,” said Hempel. “This is just meant to be a place to come and be.”
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