Students in Camarillo get hands-on experience, education raising animals at on-campus farm

CAMARILLO, Calif. (KABC) -- Some high school students in Camarillo are getting a real hands-on education, thanks to a one-of-a-kind farm program. They aren't just learning about farm animals: they're raising them!

Addisyn Bolles hand feeds the Great Hambino - her 202-pound pig she has raised since it was a piglet.

"I've learned a lot from this program. I've learned responsibility for one because you have a whole animal that you have to take care of, so I've learned how to do that, which helped prepare me for so many ways," said Bolles.

Hambino's well-being is Addisyn's summer commitment. She and a small group of students from Adolfo Camarillo High School are enrolled in the school's agriculture program.

"We have a really unique program because we're one of the few schools that actually do have a farm on our campus ... We're in the classroom, we're learning about agriculture and then we can step outside and directly apply what we're learning," said teacher Breanna Cole.

While other area schools have an agriculture program, this is the only high school in the country that breeds its own animals on site.

There's no sleeping in for these students. They are up early, feeding, walking and grooming their animals in preparation to show them off at the Ventura County Fair.

"It seems like a lot of work, and you do put a lot of time and effort into it but it's fun at the end of the day especially when you just need some time to cool off," said Nevaeh Cornish.

Each animal must meet its weight and size requirements to enter the livestock competition. Getting to the fair makes all those early morning feedings worth it.

"Carp, Santa Paula, Fillmore they all have one and it's really cool because at fair you get to meet new people from different high schools, and you can get a connection with them and like learn things about them," said Julia Santos.

The wider the waistline for Hambino, the more attractive to the judges. Only 18 pounds to go for this swine to qualify to enter the fair.