La Crosse Elementary School students meet livestock in the Mecklenburg High School barn.

On Nov. 19, 2025, the Mecklenburg County High FFA Chapter of Virginia hosted a small interactive petting zoo for students of La Crosse Elementary School. Chapter officers brought their livestock — including a rabbit, three goats, two ducks, one chicken and a horse — to the Mecklenburg High School livestock barn.

Critter Commotion 

Soon after the animals were fed, the La Crosse Elementary bus arrived, full of curious students. These students immediately ran to greet the animals with smiling faces, bright eyes and excited hands.

“Our students have special needs more unique than most,” said Courtney Lebel, a teacher at La Crosse Elementary. “We take time to learn through experiences and adventures.”

Through stations, chapter officers taught students about feeding, grooming, and the care and production of these animals. “The texture of animal fur, scents and sounds allowed our students to have a fully immersive experience,” Lebel said.

Near the end of the trip, students spent some time with their favorite animals of the day. Many flocked toward the fluffy Holland Lop rabbit, while others snuggled a couple of two-week-old goats. Lebel adds that learning from unfamiliar people allowed the children to work on conversational and social skills.

Educating the Future

The chapter officers enjoyed sharing their knowledge and love of livestock with the next generation. “As a first-year teacher and animal lover, it was amazing to see how excited the students were to interact with our animals,” said Megan Thomas, one of the Mecklenburg High FFA Chapter’s advisors. “Watching the officers share their passion for agriculture was even more special.” 

When asked what made this event important, Mecklenburg High FFA Chapter Vice President Kayla Rogers said, “If we don’t keep teaching about livestock and bringing that to kids’ attention, they won’t be interested in it in the future. There wouldn’t be much livestock or agricultural knowledge to help benefit and continue feeding America.” 

La Crosse students were grateful for this opportunity. A Mecklenburg High Spanish teacher joined to translate for an English Language Learning student. “This allowed him to better connect with the animals and lessons that were being presented,” Lebel said.

Mecklenburg High and La Crosse Elementary look forward to collaborating again for more educational field trips.