Adopt a Cow Program Opens for 2025 School Enrollment

By Andi Anderson

The Adopt a Cow program from Discover Dairy is now open for enrollment for the 2025-26 school year, offering students a fun and educational way to learn about dairy farming.

This free, year-long program allows classrooms to follow the journey of a real dairy calf while gaining knowledge about the dairy industry. Enrollment is open until September 15, 2025.

More than 1.7 million students from 43,000 classrooms and 38 countries participated last year. Students receive photos, videos, and activity sheets throughout the year to see their adopted calf grow and to learn about dairy production.

The program is open to all types of schools, including public, private, and homeschool groups, from both urban and rural areas. It includes live virtual chats and farm tours, giving students a chance to meet farmers, tour the farms, and ask questions.

Each classroom is paired with a calf and receives bi-monthly updates and curriculum suggestions. Lessons align with Common CORE standards in subjects like math, science, and reading, making it easy for teachers to integrate the program into both virtual and in-person instruction.

Brittany Snyder, Dairy Education Program Manager, shared that over 99% of participating teachers say their students gain trust in dairy farmers and understand the importance of caring for animals and the environment.

Teachers receive an introductory update in the fall with details about their calf. From there, the class will follow along with the calf’s journey through engaging content and fun learning materials.

To sign up or learn more, visit www.discoverdairy.com/adopt or contact Brittany Snyder at 717-346-0849. The program is made possible through the support of the Dairy Excellence Foundation and partners from across the U.S. dairy community.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-baranozdemir