Agriculture is a term usually associated with “crops,” “farming,” or “plants” but a little-known component of agriculture is animals. That’s why the agriculture classroom and the back fields look somewhat like a zoo.

Animals in Mrs. Tozier-Stodgehill’s classroom and out in the fields include rabbits, chickens, turtles, goats, and even pigs. Although most of the animals residing here at Freedom are owned by various students, Tozier uses them as educational tools.

“I use them to teach a variety of things like basic animal care, nutrition, sanitation, anatomy, and so much more,” says Tozier. In fact her students go out to the fields by the bus ramp a couple of times a week to learn and observe hands-on material such as vet visits.

Other than being lovable companions and educational tools, these little critters play a vital role as a source of income for people. Owners can sell byproducts like milk from cows, breed and sell offspring as pets, or as meat.

One of the agriculture students, Sierra Francis, junior, owns a pig named “Piig” [pronounced pee-g] that lives on campus that she uses to make a little extra side cash.

“Students get a great deal in the Strawberry Festival because their pigs are sold as charity, which means they are bought at a higher price than just pigs being sold by regular breeders, to become meat for those in need or used as a tax-write-off,” said Francis.

Megan Dugan, a senior, breeds her rabbit “Stella” and sells her babies as pets for about $10. It’s been so successful so far that she even has a waiting list for the next litter of baby bunnies.

In addition to the animals that individual students own that live at Freedom, the agriculture classes raise chickens for their eggs and offspring to sell along with the lesson on chicken development.

“We actually use the eggs to make pancakes…a lot,” said Dugan.

Although animals may just be companions to some but they really run room 109.