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Published on 03/28/02

Termite Circus, Fossils at Zoo Atlanta

Where can you train a tiny termite circus, see a white peacock, dig for "fossils" and watch giant pandas munch on bamboo? At Zoo Atlanta during the annual A to Z: Agriculture at the Zoo event.

This event is the result of a partnership between the zoo and the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. This year's event will be April 13 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission to the exhibit is free with admission to the zoo.

"The purpose of the event is to introduce Georgia agriculture to urban Georgia children and their parents," said Faith Peppers, a UGA CAES news editor and organizer of the event.

More Than Life on the Farm

"Most people think of life on a farm when they think of agriculture," Peppers said. "They don't realize that agriculture includes so much more and touches their lives every day, whether they live in Tifton or Marietta."

Besides Zoo Atlanta's attractions, visitors on April 13 will see agricultural exhibits presented by UGA scientists and many other representatives of Georgia agriculture.

UGA entomologists will talk about urban pests like fire ants, roaches and termites. Adults will learn about the latest control methods while kids marvel at how easy it is to train termites to follow an ink trail.

Drink of the Day: Milk

The drink of the day will be, of course, milk. Free milk samples will be available, and visitors can don a milk mustache for their own "Got milk?" photograph.

Other exhibits will include information on urban gardening, protecting water sources, creating a backyard wildlife habitat, diagnosing plant diseases and much more.

Clovers & Company, Georgia 4-H's renowned performers, will be on hand to entertain. So will Al Culbreath, a banjoist and UGA researcher.

The event is once again sponsored by the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association and the Georgia Milk Producers. For tickets, see your county Extension office or Zoo Atlanta's Web site. Or buy your tickets at the Zoo Atlanta ticket gate.

Sharon Omahen is a news editor with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.