‘Babies at the Barns’ Saturday

The Jefferson County ISU Extension and Outreach will host the annual Babies at the Barns from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Maasdam Barns Museum and Visitors Center.

During the kid-friendly event, visitors will have an opportunity to see and interact with baby farm animals and Jefferson County 4-H members, plant seeds with the Jefferson County Master Gardeners, learn how to shell and grind corn into chicken feed, and make a jump rope to take home. At 1 p.m., a milk separating demonstration is planned.

Visitors also can explore the museum on the grounds, which showcases many pieces of locally made or locally used antique, farm equipment.

Maasdam Barns are historical barns on the Evergreen Ridge Stock Farm. In the early 1900s, award-winning draft horses were bred and raised at the barns. The Maasdam Barns are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Maasdam Barns is open to the public anytime, but has volunteers on site with the visitors center open 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays from the first Thursday in May through the last week of October.

An audio tour also is available to download at the Maasdam Barns website at www.jeffersoncountyiowa.com/barns.

For information regarding the Maasdam Barns, contact Tony Webb at 919-8061 or tmdlwebb@lisco.com.

For information about Jefferson County ISU Extension and Outreach, including the 4-H program and the Master Gardeners program, call 472-4166.