BELLE GLADE --  Fourth graders at Gove Elementary School in Belle Glade learned to  build barn owl boxes  in  April, with instruction and help from Glades Central FFA students.

The boxes are used by farming communities to attract owls to naturally control rodent pests.

Through a grant from U.S. Sugar, the University of Florida works with local students in programs like the 4-H club. School age children get to participate in events like the one held April 11 and learn a new experience.

Unlike other birds, owls do not create their own nest holes. They often use hollow trees or open buildings to find shelter.

These native Florida barn owls are nocturnal animals with exceptional eyesight and highly sensitive hearing. Those traits make them extremely effective hunters. Their primary prey is small rodents like mice and rats; the types of rodents that farmers like to keep away from their crops.

The boxes will be set up in Belle Glade and other nearby farming communities to assist area farmers.

Local high school students in FFA clubs have also received company grants to build and install barn owl houses on area sugarcane farms.

U.S. Sugar is more than happy to offer local owl families free rent and food in exchange for their pest management skills.