What’s growing right now? Crops on Farmville, of course! Farmville is a game that has captured parts of the high school student body in a frenzy of growing crops, taking care of animals and harvesting. “You have to plow the land first, and then you plant seeds,” said sophomore Farmviller Lily Murphy. “You don’t have to water them or anything…you take care of them by harvesting them on time.” Farmville has drawn in many high school students. But why is it so addicting? Farmvillers Brandon Skelding and Jordon Schnur find the rewards they get for being a good farmer addicting. They earn ribbons by completing tasks, such as harvesting crops, helping neighbors, or doing other extra little things. Skelding has a Pack Rat Ribbon for having 250 decorations. “White hay bales-to look like snow,” said Skelding with a small smile. Right now Murphy is spreading holiday cheer with a Christmas tree on her farm. “Farmville throws in a lot of cool holiday stuff like that,” said Murphy. But what Murphy finds addicting is the competition involved in the game. “It’s fun to see what other people are doing and what level they’re on,” said Murphy. Schnur has a mastery in Grapes, and Skelding is attempting to master grapes as well right now. Community seems to be an important aspect of the game. You get rewards for helping your neighbors out on their farms; fertilizing their crops or sending them gifts. Skelding started his farm about three weeks ago. He helped Murphy start her Farmville and decided to get a Facebook account so he could start his own. “I used to be [obsessed with Farmville] but I’ve taken it down a little bit,” said Skelding. He spends under half an hour a day on Farmville, and he plants his crops at 8 at night if he knows he can harvest them. “I dedicate a certain time every night for farming,” said Schnur, who normally checks his Farmville at 6:30 and is on for about and hour and a half. Murphy draws the line at building her schedule around Farmville. “I plant my crops aroung my schedule. I’ll plant if I know I’m going to be home at the right time,” said Murphy. Schnur believes that Farmville makes him a more responsible person. Taking care of your crops in a timely manner is essential if you want to be a successful Farmviller. “If you let your crops fail, you don’t get the money,” said Skelding. Sometimes the obsession so many classmates have with Farmville annoys freshmen Hannah Fendt and Megan Stenulson. “I swear it makes some people crazy,” said Stenulson “I know some people who will wait up for hours so they can harvest. It’s pointless and a waste of time.” “Sorry to all you Farmvillers, [but] it’s totally overated! It’s childish, and to add to that, it’s funny that people are so obsessed with this game!” said Fendt. Skelding has some ideas for improving the game. “I think you should be able to destroy other people’s farms, like by sending insects to kill peoples crops,” said Skelding. “I think it would create more interest because it creates destruction and makes the game more difficult.”