Youngsters play tug o' war as Righetti High students watch over them at the Kinderpatch event. (Courtesy photo)
Youngsters play tug o' war as Righetti High students watch over them at the Kinderpatch event. (Courtesy photo)
Smiling children participate in a bag jumping event on a grassy area filled with bright orange pumpkins. (Courtesy photo)
A bag jumping event was among the ag-themed events held at Kinderpatch. (Courtesy photo)

The Righetti High School (RHS) Agriculture Department’s Kinderpatch event recently served more than 800 children from countywide elementary schools, offering them a chance to learn about plants, crops and animals.

The children participated in pumpkin games, a hay maze, petting zoo and other agriculture-themed attractions.

“This was so good,’’ said 6-year-old Manny Gutierrez, as he hugged his free pumpkin. “I wish this was every day.’’

All visitors received a free pumpkin that had been planted, grown and harvested by RHS students at the CTE Farm.

The annual event, which has been operating for more than 30 years, offers FFA members an opportunity to perform community service.

Some 200 Warrior FFA students were on hand to engage the young guests.

“It is always such heartwarming event to watch the young kids and the high school students interact and bond through the Ag-tivities,” said RHS agriculture teacher Amy Guerra. “Many of our student volunteers were once visitors when they were in kindergarten.

“It comes full-circle, and we really see our students step up as mentors and leaders to the kids. This event has been a great way to connect our community with our FFA program.”