Issue Date: April 3, 2005

In this article:
Treasure maps
Mini-cattle

News & Views

A treasure hunt that teaches geography
In the Great Central Park Treasure Hunt, adventurers of all ages use a special $9.95 map that offers clues at 15 spots in the 843-acre New York City park; you decode them to earn a prize (via mail). The hunt, which requires no digging or strenuous activity, is a teaching tool, says its creator, Chris Cassone. Consider: In a 2002 poll of geographical literacy among 18- to 24-year-olds in nine industrialized nations, Americans ranked next to last. Reading the map builds geographical skills, Cassone says: "It is interdisciplinary -- a science teacher can draw from it, as well as a math or social studies teacher." Look for other maps this summer to hunts in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston and Washington, D.C. For more info, go to treasurehuntadventures.com.

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"Under Size Me"

In a country where supersizing is the norm, agricultural livestock is literally shrinking. Richard Gradwohl, a breeder in Covington, Wash., says mini-cattle -- about half the size of standard animals -- are "feed-efficient; yield good, tender beef; and can be utilized on smaller acreage." Other pint-sized farm animals include mini-chickens and sheep. As farm space continues to be sold off, minis make sense: You can raise 10 miniature cows on the same pasture area as two standard cows, with about one-third the feed expense, Gradwohl says. And with 26 cattle breeds now available, they're so cute, some are kept as pets on farms, like the pet-variety mini-breed the Panda. To learn more, go to minicattle.com.

Contributing: Rosemarie Colombraro