Dairy Workshop (2 hours)

Learn about raising and caring for a dairy cow; feel what it is like to hand milk a cow through a simulated milking setup; help operate a cream separator as you learn about the parts of milk; make and sample butter, cheese and ice cream.  The Dairy program can also be modified in order to accommodate one or two groups.

Visit a Dairy Cow (40 minutes) 

Raising and caring for a dairy cow can be a lot of hard work!  Students will enter the milking room of the cow barn and will sit on the hay bales as they visit the cow.  Students will learn about the inside of the cow barn, including the stanchion that helps restrain the cow while she is milked.  During the visit, the students will discover distinguishing features of the dairy cow.  Students will also be introduced to what and how much the cow eats and drinks and general care and feeding guidelines for dairy cattle.  The four-part stomach of ruminant animals (which includes cattle) will be discussed.  Students will be able help determine the weight of the cow by using a girth measuring tape.  The visit with the cow will allow the students an opportunity to touch the cow to feel the fur of the cow. 

Milking the Cow (40 minutes)

When producing milk, a dairy cow must be milked twice a day.  During their visit to the Indian Rock Nature Preserve, students will learn how we can milk the cow by hand or by using a milking machine.  Students will sit on benches as they are shown how a farmer would milk a cow by hand.  Students will then have a turn to practice the hand milking method on a simulated milking setup.  Students will also be introduced to the milking machine.  The machine and its parts will be explained, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using a milking machine.  Students will be able to see and feel the working milking machine in order to feel how it works. 

Once the cow has been milked, the cream must be separated from the milk.  The cream can be removed from the milk using the cream separator.  Students will see the parts of the cream separator and learn how it operates.  In addition to learning about the parts of milk, students will have an opportunity to turn the handle and operate the cream separator.

Dairy Products (40 minutes)

 During the dairy visit to the nature preserve, students will learn many of the products made from milk.  Students will enter a classroom at the Orchard House (the main program building) and sit in a semi-circle in order to learn how these products are made and to participate in making ice cream, butter, and cheese from milk, cream, and other ingredients.  Students will be able to experience the steps required to make each product.  Students will also be given an overview of the sciences used in making the ice cream, butter, and cheese.  After making these products, students will have the opportunity to taste each one.

The Dairy program may be modified into two 1-hour units in order to accommodate two groups, as described below.

Visiting and Milking a Dairy Cow (1-hour) 

Raising and caring for a dairy cow can be a lot of hard work!  Students will enter the milking room of the cow barn and will sit on the hay bales as they visit the cow.  Students will learn about the inside of the cow barn, including the stanchion that helps restrain the cow while she is milked.  During the visit, the students will discover distinguishing features of the dairy cow.  Students will also be introduced to what and how much the cow eats and drinks and general care and feeding guidelines for dairy cattle.  The four-part stomach of ruminant animals (which includes cattle) will be discussed.  Students will be able help determine the weight of the cow by using a girth measuring tape.  The visit with the cow will allow the students an opportunity to touch the cow to feel the fur of the cow.

When producing milk, a dairy cow must be milked twice a day.  During their visit to the Indian Rock Nature Preserve, students will learn how we can milk the cow by hand or by using a milking machine.  Students will be shown how a farmer would milk a cow by hand.  Students will then have a turn to practice the hand milking method on a simulated milking setup.  Students will also be introduced to the milking machine.  The machine and its parts will be explained, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using a milking machine.  Students will be able to see and feel the working milking machine in order to feel how it works. 

Separating the Cream and Making Dairy Products (1-hour)

During the dairy visit to the nature preserve, students will learn many of the products made from milk.  Students will enter a classroom at the Orchard House (the main program building) and sit in a semi-circle in order to learn how these products are made and to participate in making ice cream, butter, and cheese from milk, cream, and other ingredients.  Students will be able to experience the steps required to make each product.  Students will also be given an overview of the sciences used in making the ice cream, butter, and cheese.  After making these products, students will have the opportunity to taste each one.

Once the cow has been milked, the cream must be separated from the milk.  The cream can be removed from the milk using the cream separator.  Students will see the parts of the cream separator and learn how it operates.  In addition to learning about the parts of milk, students will have an opportunity to turn the handle and operate the cream separator.

Dairy Vocabulary