Ribbons and cups for lambs and calves

With city boundaries creeping closer to the rural areas of New Zealand and as the bells and whistles of urban life beckon, there’s a real challenge to keep rural traditions alive in country schools.

Calf clubs, agricultural clubs and annual pet days are more than just ways to bring communities together – they help to foster responsibility, compassion and stick-ability in youngsters and show them the importance of the life cycle.

In some parts of the country, these annual events have faded away but for many rural communities, they remain favourite fixtures on the school calendar – eagerly awaited by young and old.

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