Urban Kids Learn About Rural Living At 'Farmfest'

DENVER (CBS4) – It was a little bit of country in the big city as Farmfest was held this weekend at The Urban Farm at Stapleton. The nonprofit brings urban children to rural farms.

It's a warm day for a chicken like Parmelo. Connor Spring says chickens cool down by panting, just like a dog would. He knows about all things chicken.

"She's a mix between a silkie and a brahma," Spring said.

The 12-year-old specializes in poultry with The Urban Farm's 4-H program.

"At the end of 4-H year we get to show them at Adams County Fair," he said. "It's really to earn money for the farm so we can do more projects."

It was the fifth year for the annual Farmfest.

Evelyn Alton with The Urban Farm says the nonprofit plants hundreds of urban children onto Fun on the Farm.

"We cultivate kids, critters, crops and community," Alton said.

Alton says from farming produce, raising goats, to petting ponies, children learn real lessons in responsibility and accountability.

"It's teaching children what you're doing to the earth is what the earth is going to give back to you," she said.

"It's just a lot of fun and we get to do a lot of fun stuff," Spring said.

For more information on The Urban Farm at Stapleton visit theurbanfarm.org.