Feb. 10, 2025 – Goats, chickens, and potbelly pigs.
These are just three of the various types of animals that Ramona Boulevard Elementary students see roaming around in the school’s animal farm. And it’s one of the major reasons that Principal Devonne Lampkin often hears her school is the highlight of their Westside neighborhood. In fact, she says the farm has drawn families from all over the community.
“When they walk by, they'll say, ‘Oh my God, I love your chickens. I love your farm,’” Principal Lampkin said. “I love the fact that they are noticing that we are trying to give the students more than just the ABCs.”
The school’s farm – a brainchild Lampkin had during the pandemic – is currently home to 11 chickens, three adult goats, twin baby goats, and a potbelly pig. The farm is not just for show, said Lampkin. Rather, it’s used as an instructional tool, giving students hands-on training while learning how to care for the animals from birth to adulthood.
For students like fourth grader Ellian Reyes, spending time on the farm is the best part of the school day.
“Every day we come here, we give them water, we get some of the food, and we put it inside their bowls,” said Reyes. “We get to see how the chickens produce their eggs. Then we collect the eggs and then go check on the pig.”
While the farm is open to all classes, the students who help maintain the farm are a part of the school’s 4H Youth Development Club, which is an educational development program that teaches students life skills. Science teacher Benjamin Newsom says learning about the cycle of life in real-time is a unique experience a student doesn’t normally get to see daily.
“It's been a really great experience, and it teaches a lot of these kids responsibility of taking care of something and feeding something other than themselves,” said Newsom. 
Newsom says it not only feeds into the school’s learning standards, but it also prepares students for their future careers.
“Students say, ‘I nursed a chicken back to life, and now I want to be a nurse, or I want to be a doctor or a farmer,’” Newsom said.
This program not only enhances students' understanding of animal care, but it also serves as a calming influence for when students have behavioral issues.
“They’ll come out and help me feed the animals, and instantly they calm down and they stop crying,” Lampkin said.
Principal Lampkin says one of the most exciting things is that they already have a plan in place for students to take their skills to the next level after they leave elementary school. The school plans to partner with Baldwin Middle School and Frank H. Peterson Academy for more veterinary and agricultural opportunities.
Story by Brittany Jones