Farm Camp Minnesota recently helped St. Jude of the Lake 7th Grade students connect their classroom learning to a real-world dairy farm through an Adopt a Cow Farm Camp experience.
On February 26, 2026, 15 students visited Scherber’s Morningstar Dairy to learn more about dairy farming, cow care, milk production, and where their food comes from. The visit was especially meaningful because the students participate in the Adopt a Cow program, and their teacher wanted them to have the chance to see a cow in real life.
From Classroom Learning to the Dairy Farm
During the tour, students learned about the daily care cows receive and how technology helps support modern dairy farming. They were especially interested in the milking robot and how it knows each cow, when she was last milked, and how much milk she is expected to produce.
Students shared that they were surprised by how big cows are, that cows cannot produce milk until they have a calf, and how much milk one cow can produce.
Their favorite part was clear: the calves.
Made Possible Through Transportation Support
This Adopt a Cow Farm Camp experience was made possible in part by a Transportation Grant. The grant helped cover bus transportation costs, thanks to generous investors with the Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation who support hands-on agriculture literacy experiences for students across Minnesota.
Growing Student Understanding
The experience helped students better understand the dairy industry they had been learning about in class. Before Farm Camp, 37.5% of students said they were somewhat knowledgeable about the industry they would be visiting. Afterward, 81.8% said they were at least somewhat to very knowledgeable.
Student reflections showed what they took away from the day. Students said they learned:
“How to milk a cow.”
“After a robot milks a cow it sprays the udders with a moisturizer.”
“About the cows’ food and about the machine, Alice, that mixes their food so they get proper nutrients.”
“MorningStar Dairy was amazing!” said Jill, educator.
Why These Experiences Matter
Farm Camp Minnesota, a program of Minnesota Agriculture in the Classroom, connects students with real-world agriculture experiences that support classroom learning. This Adopt a Cow Farm Camp experience helped students see dairy farming not just as something they study, but as something happening every day on Minnesota farms.
To learn more about Farm Camp Minnesota or get connected with agriculture education opportunities, visit https://farmcampminnesota.org/connect-me/.