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Published on 03/09/00

A TO Z: Agriculture at the Zoo March 25-26

What do lemurs and llamas, giraffes and goats all have in common? Come to Zoo Atlanta March 25-26 to find out.

Zoo-s2.jpg (9718 
bytes)The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is partnering with Zoo Atlanta to present "A to Z: Agriculture at the Zoo." The premiere event will show how important caring for habitats is for everyone.

"When most people think of agriculture, they think of rural life," said Janet Rodekohr, CAES public affairs manager. "The zoo offers a bit of nature and conservation in the middle of the city. It's a natural forum for us to discuss the environment and agriculture's place in it.

"We hope the exhibit with Zoo Atlanta," Rodekohr said, "will help urban Georgians see that agriculture touches the lives of all of us every day."

The event, which celebrates National Agriculture Month, will showcase the best the college has to offer urban Georgians.

Visitors will see exhibits by college faculty, demonstrations by Georgia 4-H'ers and shows by the renowned 4-H performers, Clovers & Company.

"We'll have exhibits on urban gardening, protecting water sources, urban pests and more," Rodekohr said. "We hope to show the strong connection between nature and agricultural conservation. We hope to attract some young visitors to agricultural and environmental careers, too."

Visitors can plant seeds and learn about composting at the Urban Garden Program exhibit. And they can find out how to build a backyard wildlife habitat.

"We'll have more than 30 exhibits under the big tent and throughout the Zoo," Rodekohr said. "So whether they want to put their hands in the dirt to plant a seed, learn how to protect their ground water or talk with students about what they're studying, there should be something for everyone."

If you want to meet gardening guru and UGA horticulture expert Walter Reeves, Sunday (March 26) is your chance. He'll be at the Georgia Gardener exhibit to preview this year's GPTV show.

To learn more on "A to Z," or to get tickets or directions, visit the Zoo Atlanta web site. Or call (404)624-5600.

Faith Peppers is the director of public affairs with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.