James
C. Hosch, Clayton County Extension Education Director
Situation
Many young people today do not understand how food reaches their table.
They do not have many opportunities to witness animal agriculture, to discuss
the economic importance of food industries to this region of Iowa, or to learn
about careers in animal science. Too often the discussions within their classrooms
focus on the environmental challenges of the livestock industry and they hear
the negative side of eating dairy products.
Response
Iowa's Dairy Story started in 2002. Now, there have been nearly 3,000 youth
(3rd, 4th & 5th graders) participating. The curriculum developed and the
day-long field trip to Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation Center has helped them
understand the importance of building skeletal strength with dairy foods in
their diet. They also have an opportunity to learn that dairy foods are produced
in this region of Iowa on family-based dairy farms and that the industry supports
the economy with a variety career jobs.
While at the Dairy Center, the youth learn the history of dairying, how ruminant
digestive systems function, the significant state and national milk-producing
regions, the seven breeds, and the health impacts of consuming dairy foods.
They see how cows are milked and what happens in a special needs barn. Each
group makes home-made ice cream and spins a Milk Cart Quiz to re-enforce their
learning.
The excitement grows as they put on biosecurity boots for the barn tour. The
sites, smells, and sounds of an active dairy set inquisitive minds in motion
with a multitude questions. They have an appreciation that milk is not just
purchased in the store -- it comes from cows, on farms, within an industry that
supports families and communities.
Impact
Life skills evaluations completed by youth participating in the Iowaís
Dairy Story program showed:
1. 90% plan to make more healthy food choices than before.
2. 90% are interested in learning more about cows and the industry that is so
important to the region.
3. 89% felt they listened carefully to what was being said.
4. 90% had the opportunity they needed to ask questions and receive answers
that were understandable to them.
5. 92% liked the opportunity to work as teams to make ice cream and study the
historical artifacts.
Page last updated:
July 9, 2006
Page maintained by Linda Schultz, lschultz@iastate.edu
