Kids and horse lovers go back in time in Trenton

TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- It was an agricultural journey back in time Wednesday for kids and horse lovers in Trenton, New Jersey.

Jack and Chestnut, two 1700 pound Belgian draft horses from Howell Living History Farm were the star attraction at the annual spring plow event sponsored by the Isles Garden Support Network.

The horses are from the Howell Living History Farm in Trenton, New Jersey.

The nonprofit helps community gardens in Trenton thrive.

At this garden on Chestnut Avenue students from Robbins elementary got a feel for old time farming as they each took a turn handling an antique plow.

One student Giancarlo Ramos said, "It was kind of hard, but mostly the horses were doing the work."

Another student Claritza Rameriz added, "It was a huge experience for me trying to do the things that we did back then."

Their teacher Brittany Thomas says, "It's nice to have them actually enjoy the hands on experience versus just hearing and reading about it."

The students also learned about beekeeping, composting. The worms were a hit and shelling corn for animal feed.

There are over seventy community gardens like this in Trenton. The hope is a hands on experience like this will give the kids a better understanding of farming and perhaps growing their own food.

Jim Simon, the Isles Deputy Director said, "Food usually in the supermarket is in a package, it's in a can. This shows them that they have the power, they can have the skills and knowledge to grow it themselves."

Some families already do that.

Juan Basques, a student said, "Carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, grapes." So you're already a gardener? "Yeah." he added.

Betty Hall, Community Gardener said, "The way things are nowadays, things are so expensive and everything. If they learn how to grow vegetables and stuff on their own they'll even learn how to eat better."

Isles runs weekly workshops on gardening and nutrition at Robbins elementary.

Organizers hope putting their hands on a plow will help students connect to farming and the food on their table.

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