COLLINGSWORTH COUNTY – Wellington Elementary School fifth graders, along with teachers Megan Cardenas and Jessica Thomas and substitute Norma Spillman, participated in Wildlife Field Day on Thursday, May 4. Sponsored by the Mill Iron Ranch and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Collingsworth County Extension Agent Kenny Patterson, Program Assistant Paige Owen,Don and Peggy Allred, Mill Iron Manager Byron Bell and additional ranch staff met the students at the Mill Iron Ranch barn.
D. Allen shared the history of the ranch and the Panhandle with the students, while Bell showcased handmade items used by cowboys, including spurs, buckles and bridles. Bell also brought his horse, showing youth the saddle and tack used to ride a horse on the ranch.
Jeff Field displayed his arrowhead collection, sharing artifacts that can be found on the ranch. Jimmy Brown, with assistance from Brandon Ward, instructed the group on rattlesnake and wild hog safety while on the ranch, showing the students both live and frozen rattlesnakes. Students had the opportunity to hold the frozen snakes. Brown also had a handful of baby hogs for them to check out in a trailer.
