October 20, 2022 – Kreitner Elementary secured a spot on a mobile tour designed to show milk’s journey from cow to carton. Thanks to St. Louis District Dairy Council and Southwest/Southland Dairy Farmers, Kreitner students met Grace, a two-year-old Jersey cow, and experienced a Mobile Dairy Classroom right in the parking lot of their school.
Kreitner was chosen for the Mobile Dairy Classroom experience thanks to teacher Steffiny Sweet who entered a contest to win the visit. Over 300 schools entered and only 10 schools were chosen for a spot on the local tour. Sweet’s school was eligible due to her class’ participation in the St. Louis District Dairy Council’s Adopt a Calf program.
“We absolutely love learning about dairy cows and how they help produce things we use everyday!” says Sweet.
The Mobile Dairy Classroom, essentially a milking parlor on wheels, is designed to show milk’s journey from cow to carton. The educational exhibit includes a presentation on dairy farms, cows and how farmers care for the environment. It also features the opportunity for students to learn about the modern milking process with the help of a special guest star – a real dairy cow. The 45-minute presentation, also covers how dairy foods fit into a healthy diet.
Kreitner students in second, third and fourth grades took part in the interactive program presented by real-life dairy farmer Richard Keel, associate general manager of the Southwest Dairy Museum and Education Center responsible for the Mobile Dairy Classroom program. Mr. Keel was accompanied by Jim Hill, CEO and General Manager of Southwest Dairy Farmers. As part of lesson, students learned about milking and got to see Grace milked by a machine. Grace was a relaxed and happy participant who seemed to enjoy demonstrating for the students. She even mooed a few times and posed for photos!
October is National Farm to School Month. The St. Louis District Dairy Council invited the 45-foot trailer housing the Mobile Dairy Classroom to appear at ten area schools to show agriculture in action. According to SLDDC, just 2% of Americans are directly connected to the agriculture industry, and many students think milk comes from a grocery store. The Mobile Dairy Classroom aims to change that by opening their eyes to the real world of dairy and dairy farming.
“Field trips are an ideal way to show what happens on a dairy farm. But travel, budget and space restrictions can limit the adventure to only a handful of classrooms,” notes SLDDC registered dietitian Maggie Cimarolli, “By bringing the dairy farm directly to the students, the school has no transportation costs and can allow more students to participate.”
“Virtual farm tours became popular when schools turned to on-line learning,” says Cimarolli, “They remain an efficient way to show what life on a dairy farm is like. But there is no substitute for seeing a live cow being milked right in front of you!”
The Missouri schools on the SLDDC tour include: Gateway Elementary (St. Louis) St. Ambrose School (St. Louis), Fairview Elementary, (Columbia) and Russell Boulevard Elementary (Columbia). Illinois schools on the tour include: CA Henning Elementary (Troy), Lebanon Elementary (Lebanon), Ridgely Elementary (Springfield), Vachel Lindsay Elementary (Springfield), Kreitner Elementary (Collinsville), and Alhambra Elementary (Alhambra).
The most important takeaways from the day: Milk provides 13 nutrients necessary for good health. Have at least three servings of dairy every day!