December was an exciting month of learning about dairy cows and dairy products as we traveled for an Siouxland Ag in the Classroom visit with 2nd and 4th grade students. Both grades were full of curiosity, energy, and great questions as we explored the world of dairy “beyond the fridge.”
We began our days with the 2nd graders, introducing them to dairy cows and the journey milk takes before it reaches their school cartons. Students were amazed to learn that a single dairy cow can produce over 55 pounds of milk each day—enough to fill about 112 of the milk cartons they drink at lunch. Their eyes lit up as they connected the farm to their everyday lives.
The hands-on activities were a highlight for the younger students. In addition to making homemade butter, the 2nd graders created cut‑out cows and chose which dairy breed to decorate them as. This creative twist helped them learn the differences between breeds while expressing their own artistic abilities. The excitement in the room was contagious as they proudly tasted their butter and showed off their decorated cows.
We then joined the 4th graders for a deeper dive into the dairy industry. Together, we designed new milk carton ideas and discussed the many products dairy cows help provide, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream. The 4th graders also played dairy bingo, filling in their cards with key dairy vocabulary words as we moved through the lesson. This interactive approach kept them engaged while reinforcing important concepts about dairy farming and food production.
Some of the facts that truly amazed students were that one dairy cow can produce about 8 gallons of milk per day and that cows drink an incredible amount of water—often a bathtub’s worth, or roughly 30–50 gallons each day. These numbers helped students appreciate just how hardworking and impressive dairy cows really are.
Overall, it was a wonderful month of learning, creativity, and connection. The students showed great enthusiasm as they discovered the story of dairy cows beyond the fridge.