Education program in Wellesley Township another success

Kasja Bowman, with Dharma the Holstein cow, explains to students what cows eat, how often they are milked and how much milk they can produce in a day. Karen Pilecki photo

By Gary West

Grades 3 and 4 students from schools in Wellesley Township, along with local homeschool groups, took part in a hands-on dairy education program recently.

The event featured veterinarians, dairy farmers and agricultural professionals from across the township. The program is organized each year by the North Easthope-Wellesley Agricultural Society to help students understand where their milk and other dairy products come from, including yogurt, butter, sour cream and cheese.

Though a few of the children already live on dairy farms, they were just as eager to learn at the various education stations. Volunteers from the Waterloo Dairy Committee and the agricultural society guided students through interactive sessions.

This year’s program was held at the farm of Jim Demerling, whose modern facility provided a clean and safe learning environment. Organizers plan for about 200 students to attend each year.

The Wellesley-North Easthope Agricultural Society thanks Jones Feed Mill, Brenland Dairy Farms, Milverton-Wellesley Vet Clinic, Waterloo County Dairy Educators, Dortman Brothers, Waterloo County Dairy Producer Committee and all volunteers who made the day possible.