SCENIC RIDGE VIEW
EXOTIC ANIMAL RANCH
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LOCATION: 416
Highway 76, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146. The ranch is located
seven miles south of Harpers Ferry IA, eighteen miles southeast of
Waukon IA, and three miles west of Effigy Mounds National Monument.
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HOURS: Tours may be
scheduled by appointment from the middle of May to the end of October.
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COST: Regular
admission is $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. Student
admission for school tours is $1.50 per child and $2.00 for adult
chaperons.
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RESERVATIONS: Call
for scheduling visits for educational groups.
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GROUP SIZE: No
limit
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CONTACT PERSONS:
George and Belva Ashbacher (319)-586-2721 or (319)-535-7215
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Hayride tours include the buffalo and Texas Long Horn pastures with
Belted Galloways and Scottish Highlanders. Petting farm includes
miniature donkeys, ponies, Jacob sheep, Dorset rams, llamas,
ostriches, emus, rheas, chickens, potbellied pigs, fainting goats,
rabbits, white tail and fallow deer, Christian donkeys, mules,
peacocks and turkeys. Grandpa's Barn of Memories has many items
of interest including old farm machinery and primitive articles
including an old 1929 Huber tractor. The one-room country
schoolhouse is partially furnished with electricity and water and
primitive facilities.
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What are the names of
the various species at the ranch?
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What similarities and
differences can be observed in the animals?
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What are examples of
early pioneer life that can be observed at the ranch?
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What relationships exist
between the pioneer cultures and the environment?
George and Belva Ashbacher began with
hayrides for their families among the White Park cattle and Texas Long
Horns. Gradually additional animals, trails, a petting farm,
teepee rental, barn dances, camping facilities and bobsled rides were
added. They also sell registered Emerald Crown Vetch Seed and
fresh processed buffalo, Texas Long Horn or venison.
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Using library resources
and internet searches have students write a verse to a familiar song
like "Old McDonald Had a Farm" to introduce their exotic
animal to the rest of the class.
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Using chart paper, an
overhead projector, or the chalkboard, create a chart of the
similarities and differences among common farm animals and the exotic
animals of the Scenic Ridge View Ranch.
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View video "Iowa's
Proud Tradition...Agriculture". Place students in
cooperative groups to complete Activity G: Agriculture Then and Now.
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Read excerpts from One
Hundred Years of Progress in Agriculture in Allamakee County by Curtis
Webster. Read “Voices from the Land” from the activity
“Agriculture: Farming and More,” in Prairie Voices. Complete
the Hidden Objects Game.
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Discuss appropriate
field trip behavior.
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Learn "Field
Trip Song"
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Making a Venn diagram
using two hula-hoops placed on the floor. Have students compare
farm life now and then by generating the tasks, chores or job
responsibilities of women living in the 1920's compared with those
living in today's society. (See “Iowa Farm Women, More Than a
Way of Life” from Prairie Voices.
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Have students make a kite
of their exotic animal. (See p.74-75,"Let's Go Fly a
Kite", Project Wild.)
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Have students share the
verse to the song introduced in the Pre-Field Trip Activities.
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Write appropriate
thank-you letter.
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A printed brochure is
available upon request from: Waukon Chamber of Commerce,
(319)-568-4110, Allamakee County Economic Development and Tourism
Commission, 12 E. Main, Waukon IA 52172, (319)-568-2624.
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“Iowa's Proud
Tradition—Agriculture”, a video and booklet of learning activities
produced by the Iowa Beef Industry Council, 1996. Available from
Keystone AEA-1 Curriculum Laboratory.
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Prairie Voices, An Iowa
Heritage Curriculum published by the State Historical Society of Iowa,
Des Moines IA, 1997. Available from the Keystone AEA-1
Curriculum Laboratory.
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Project Wild- Activity
Guide, Western Regional Environmental Education Council, Inc.,
Bethesda MD, 1983. Available from the Keystone AEA-1 Curriculum
Laboratory.
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