Building relationships with dairy farms

KEWAUNEE – Kewaunee dairy farm Schleis Farms is helping to educate the next generation of potential dairy farmers through the Adopt-A-Cow Program.

The Adopt-A-Cow Program is a nationwide program that helps students understand how dairy farms work, engage with the industry and learn how dairy products reach their tables.

Each Wisconsin classroom that enrolls in the Adopt-A-Cow program is paired with a calf from a Wisconsin dairy farm.

Teachers in Wisconsin sign up for the program and are automatically enrolled to receive a calf in October.

“They will find out who their calf is, who their host farm is, and how to use the Discover Dairy website to access the materials throughout the year,” Tasha Schleis, of Schleis Farms, stated.

Schleis shared about the monthly lessons and photo updates that will be provided for the students.

Additional activities that keep students engaged such as “Calf Holiday Cards” and “Voting for America’s Favorite Calf” are also included.

The program does not involve time-consuming lesson planning for the teachers, they simply share the photos and follow the lesson plans to talk through the information with their students.

All the basic content is already written for teachers.

Dairy Education Program Manager Brittany Snyder expressed her excitement for the upcoming connections that will be formed.

“Getting to hear their stories and tell them about my farm, cows and family. Getting to see the excitement and love that the students will show as they get to see the calf grow up over the school year and get regular updates,” she added.

“Knowing we are making a real impact on their future by giving them a real experience with a dairy farm and farmer.

“Being able to get more students and teachers on our farm; if not in person, then via online builds relationships within the community and with other families. There are so many opportunities to create respectful and honest relationships and I can’t wait.”