With the precautions being taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, United Dairy Industry of Michigan is offering teachers and students of all grades the opportunity to connect individually to this virtual farm tour.
This Virtual Farm Tour will connect students directly with dairy farmers who will take you inside their family’s barns to share how they care for their calves and cows and show the feed they prepare for their cows each day. During the tour, Jolene will talk about the nutritious and delicious dairy foods created from the milk the cows produce.
Want more resources from United Dairy Industry of Michigan? Click the button to check out their Google Slides presentation that includes links to curriculum, handouts, videos and more!
Tour with Two-Time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsay Tarpley
Join two-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist and soccer player Lindsay Tarpley for a tour of Evergreen Dairy in central Michigan. Kris and Carla Wardin will share how they take care of the calves and prepare them to join the milking herd. They will also show how cows are milked and what they feed the cows. We will hear how nutrition is important for the cows and also for students and athletes! Tour length: 30 minutes
Earth Day Virtual Farm Tour
Watch this virtual tour of Weber Family Dairy in the thumb region of Michigan to learn how dairy farmers focus on Earth Day every day. Farmer James Weber discusses how he works each day on regenerative practices including responsibly composting and applying nutrients to the soil and keeping surrounding water clean. You will see how James cares for the calves, cows, land, and community.
Mootilda’s Winter Virtual Farm Tour on National Milk Day
Mootilda returned to celebrate National Milk Day with Farmer Ashley at Sheridan Dairy Farm in Eastern Michigan to see how the calves and cows are cared for during the winter months. During the tour, Farmer Ashley showed how she uses technology to help care for the cows who make the delicious and nutritious milk we all love.
Milk Means More on Facebook
Check out more videos and resources from the Milk Means More Facebook page.
Grades K-2nd
Watch the 30-minute tour of Horning Farms in southeast Michigan to get a sneak peek inside the barns and milking parlor. Students will see how the dairy farmers care for their calves and cows, their community and the environment while producing nutritious and delicious milk.
Grades 3rd-5th
Watch as Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions Center, virtually toured Reid Dairy Farm in Eastern Michigan. During this fun, interactive experience students learn how the farm family cares for their calves and cows, where milk comes from, how it is produced and the many different foods that are made from milk. Along with learning about dairy farming, Frank Ragnow shares how he stays healthy and strong.
Grades 6th-12th
Watch the 45-60 minute tour of Sand Creek Dairy on the west side of Michigan to learn about different careers in the dairy industry. Meet dairy farmer Ethan Haywood to see how the cows are cared for, learn how the milk is collected from the cows and meet the calves. You’ll also hear from special guests who work with dairy farmers across the state: a dairy nutritionist who creates cows’ menu, a dairy veterinarian who helps farmers care for cows and a milk truck driver who collects the milk and drives it to the processing plant. Along with the professionals who work directly with the farm, you’ll hear from a registered dietitian to learn about their career.
University of Michigan Poverty Solutions issues COVID-19 resource guide for Michiganders
A new Michigan COVID-19 Pandemic Resource Guide provides information on how to access various resources aimed at supporting Michiganders through the coronavirus pandemic and related economic slowdown.
While everyone is affected by the restrictions on public gatherings, business closures and public health concerns, it is low-wage hourly workers, people with little savings or disposable income and people living in poverty who will have the most difficult time weathering the economic disruption accompanying the COVID-19 crisis, says H. Luke Shaefer, founding director of Poverty Solutions and a professor of social work and public policy.
Poverty Solutions, a U-M initiative aimed at preventing and alleviating poverty, compiled the Michigan COVID-19 Pandemic Resource Guide to help people make sense of the new resources becoming available as a result of the rapidly changing federal, state and local responses to the coronavirus outbreak.