Mary Christine Stevens/Daily Mining Gazette Farm on the Town visitors feed and pet a pair of goats as part of their scavenger hunt.

Copper Country Farm Bureau hosted its second Farm on the Town event Saturday in Hancock.

The activity-filled afternoon was hosted at Sunflower Books and Coffee and featured a scavenger hunt, farm animals, free snacks and plenty of educational entertainment.

Attendees started their scavenger hunt at the Copper Country Farm Bureau booth, where they were given a bucket and instructions. Following the path, they stopped at various tables to learn about things like spinning wool, how bees make honey and how mushrooms can be great for your health. Once they made it through the route, they could get a free popsicle or ice cream, along with pieces of fresh fruit. At the very end of the scavenger hunt, participants could plant their own flower to take home. Many also circled back to visit the bunnies, sheep, donkeys and other farm animals in the petting zoo. 

According to Susan Mattila, volunteer and member of Copper Country Farm Bureau’s Promotion and Education Department, “It’s an opportunity for kids, adults, whoever, to come see and experience some of the local agriculture that is here in the Copper Country. There’s something for everybody here.”

Judy Szyszkoski, another volunteer and member of the Promotion and Education department, added, “It’s one of the opportunities that kids get to see animals in a family environment. A lot of kids don’t get to experience that. It’s educational for them, and tells them where their food comes from. They get to pick all kinds of vegetables and fruits off of [the demonstration tables], so they know strawberries grow from this kind of plant, blueberries come from bushes. I think it’s just very good for their education.” 

One stop that drew a lot of attention from both kids and adults on the scavenger hunt was the Keweenaw Mushrooms table hosted by Enid and Zack Osborn. The table was laden with too many types of mushrooms to count, and information on what each one could do for your health. Enid Osborn explained how their goal was to show kids that mushrooms, “aren’t necessarily this scary unknown. We’re letting them touch them, see them, letting them know you can actually cook with them. We’re here to educate people about the wonderful world of mushrooms.” 

Zack Osborn, who has a degree in pharmaceutical chemistry, was explaining the health benefits that come from adding mushrooms to one’s diet. “Each mushroom is different not only in its look, taste and texture, but also the health benefits it confers,” he said. “Statin medications, which people take for cholesterol, you can find naturally occurring in oyster mushrooms. Shiitake produces a protein that, when you eat it, can lower your blood pressure.”

He also discussed the possibility of mushrooms being used to heal memory issues or brain injuries, saying that compounds in Lion’s Mane mushrooms can help regenerate neurons in the brain. 

Osborn also highlighted how the mushrooms are sustainably grown.

“One thing they all share is that they’re zero fat, high protein and very sustainably grown. Everything you see here is grown using local hardwood waste from the timber mills. A waste product to them is a main ingredient for me, and they all add a slightly different flavoring to your dish.”

Several other volunteers dedicated their time to keeping the event running smoothly.

Rehema Clarken, who owns the Keweenaw Learning Center, said she decided to help because she loves “working with children and helping them learn more about anything they’re interested in. Also, I’m a local business owner, and I think it’s really important that local business owners support other local business owners, and make Hancock a vibrant community.”

Another volunteer, Jeffrey Thornton, said it’s important kids learn to “do things with their minds, as well as their hands.” Thornton is a financial adviser at Superior National Bank.