Interactive Dairy Exhibit Educates Johnson City Students on Farming

On Wednesday, students at Johnson City Middle School in New York had the opportunity to delve into the world of dairy farming thanks to the 'Dairying Springs' tour. This interactive exhibit, organized by the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition, is designed to educate young minds about agriculture. The tour includes lessons on various aspects of farming, from soil health to animal care and food production.

Reilly Wolfanger, Marketing Communications Manager, emphasized that the tour not only covers dairy farming but also highlights other career paths within agriculture. Wolfanger noted, 'We talk a lot about other careers within agriculture and the dairy industry as well. So maybe somebody doesn’t want to become a dairy farmer, but maybe they like caring for animals. They want to be a vet. They like food production. So they want to work in a cheese factory or something like that.'

This event marked the second year of the tour's journey across New York State, aiming to provide students a comprehensive view of agriculture. For many students, it was their first exposure to such experiences. 'I think a lot of these kids haven’t really been exposed to something like this,' said Wolfanger.

The event also featured a live calf, which students could interact with, along with free ice cream, milk, and yogurt provided by local community organizations. Julie Beard, the principal of Johnson City Middle School, highlighted the importance of such events, saying it was an excellent opportunity to connect students with practical experiences they might not encounter otherwise.

The 'Dairying Springs' tour will continue to visit schools across New York throughout the year, aiming to bridge the gap between consumers and producers and help children understand the origins of their food.