When the school bell rings for 2025-26, classrooms everywhere will have a chance to learn more about the fantastic care dairy farms give to their calves!  It's the "Adopt-A-Cow" program and it's free!  Tasha Schleis, dairy farmer in Kewaunee County and board member of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, participated last year as a host.  Schlies says it was a great experience that helped her better understand the common misunderstandings or questions that most consumers may have.

Schlies tells Pam Jahnke that she'll be back engaged in the program this school year with a refreshed vision on why it's such an important tool for dairy farmers to promote and participate in.  She says the engagement numbers are incredible!  Schlies said in 2024-25 the program impacted over 55,000 students in over 1,550 classes.  She exchanged information about her calves with public school teachers, private schools, home schools, daycares, nursing homes and youth groups!  It's also interesting to note that 56% of the participants identified as urban, while 44% were considered rural.  That reminded Schlies that even rural neighbors might not know about the outstanding care they're giving to their animals.

Now Schlies is encouraging more school teachers, nursing homes, daycares - really every organization focused on education to get connected to the program.  Registration is open now until September 15th.  This year several Wisconsin farms will be sharing their story through the Adopt-A-Cow format.  They include:

• Schleis Farms, Kewaunee WI *returning* 
• OrthRidge Jerseys, Lancaster WI *returning* 

• Nellie Holsteins, Eau Claire WI *new* 

• McFarlandale Dairy, Watertown WI *new*