A rooster crowed in the background as a group of 14 thirdgraders peered at some llamas.

“The llama’s fur is really soft,” said third-grader Michael Smalley, while washing the fur off his hands.

Michael, a student at Whitehills Elementary School, 621 Pebblebrook St., was one of 2,000 area third-graders participating in Project R.E.D., which stands for Rural Education Day, at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education on Wednesday.

“It’s fun,” he said. “You get to see all the animals and learn about them.”

The event had more than 100 presenters, who taught students about topics such as environmental issues, livestock, soil conservation and rope making.

Project R.E.D. also featured various kinds of livestock such as sheep, llamas, chickens, rabbits and ponies.

Despite the display of livestock and educational exhibits, Michael said he prefers the city life.

“I just really wouldn’t want to (work on a farm),” he said. “It’s too much work.”

Whitehills third-grade teacher Kathy Vermillion said the event fit in perfectly with the students’ studies.

“We study about rural and urban in our social studies curriculum,” she said. “This gives these city students a chance to get a little bit more of a feel for the rural part of living - and animals are fun.”

Vermillion said stepping outside of the classroom for a day also offers students a different style of learning.

“Anything that is more real and hands-on and closer to the real thing is always more educational,” she said.

Ann Arensmeier, chairperson of the steering committee for Project R.E.D., said it’s getting harder and harder for students to experience rural life.

“Years ago, young children - they had an Uncle George or they had a grandparent who was associated with farming or had a farm they could go to,” she said. “But nowadays we’re too far removed or too many generations removed from the farm.”

Arensmeier, an Okemos resident, said Project R.E.D. aims to remedy that situation.

“What we’re trying to teach them is to make them realize the importance of agriculture in their life,” she said.