By Brianna Llewellyn, Staff Writer
During Spring Break, S.E.R.V.E. offered opportunities for students to enrich the community of Pasco County through community service and development. One location that the students of S.E.R.V.E. visited was Granma’s Hug-N-Farm which is located on 20 acres of estate between Plant City, FL and Zephyrhills, FL.
Young children ran through the field in a frenzy over the friendly farm animals. Some stuck their hands into the pens and watched in amazement as the goats licked the salt from their sweaty palms like little puppies. Others lightly scratched the backs of little piggies and watched them roll over and nonverbally beg for more.
Granma’s Hug-N-Farm is composed of several different attractions including a petting barn with plenty of sheep, billy goats, and teacup pigs, providing a unique experience with farm animals that most people have never had before. The teacup pigs were a donation. A lady that could no longer take care of the little charcoal colored pigs brought them to the farm with drinking bottles and diapers, but gradually the pigs grew into the new environment and no longer needed the bottles or the diapers.
Students of S.E.R.V.E. helped maintain the Hug-N-Farm by helping wash and groom the petting ponies, Honey and Ranger. Honey is 18 years old, and Ranger is 28 years old.
Granpa warned each student against standing directly behind the horse. Of course one student asked why not.
“It would hurt”, was Granpa’s simple but comical reply.
Students also helped wash and groom a very friendly canine by the name of Belle whose life expectancy was 12 years but through love and care was still flourishing at the age of 16. Belle greeted the young children with as much friendliness as she did when she was a puppy.
Students from S.E.R.V.E. also did a bit of yard work, encountering a variety of Botanical life, some unique to Florida.
Afterwards, students were rewarded with a hayride around the gorgeous 20 acre estate, during which students were able to spot a turtle and get more acquainted with the country life.
“That was definitely worth waking up early for, the farm is beautiful and the estate is breathtaking,” said Sophomore Abi Fox.
To visit or for more information on Granma’s Hug-N-Farm you may contact Granma at (813) 783-9292 or hugnfarm1@gmail.com. Granma’s Hug-N-Farm is open by appointment only.
“Feel Free to call us any time!” Granma said.
