Russell’s lifelong love of animals and serious determination to educate young people about the wonders of the animal world have created a project that originates at a time when economic issues have dramatically reduced the educational systems ability to provide these opportunities. Educators everywhere grow increasingly concerned over shrinking budgets, escalating fuel prices, and an increased emphasis on standardized testing and their affect on the ability of schools to offer this important and novel kind of learning experience. The Red Barn Farm Tour not only provides an answer to this economic dilemma, but can also relieve the liability concerns arising from transporting large numbers of school children to off-campus events.