Virtual Farm Tour

Join us for a FREE Virtual Farm Tour to a Michigan Dairy Farm

Spring 2020 – Dates and locations coming soon!

Have you ever wondered how milk is produced? Or how long it takes for milk to get from farm to table? United Dairy Industry of Michigan invites your classroom on a LIVE Virtual Farm Tour to a Michigan Dairy Farm!

What is a Virtual Farm Tour?

Our LIVE Virtual Farm Tours connect you directly with a real modern dairy farm for a live video tour and chat with a farmer, without ever leaving the comfort of your classroom. Using video chat technology, your class will get a peek at barns, cows and more as they see and learn firsthand how dairy farmers care for their cows, the land, and produce delicious milk and other dairy products for you to enjoy. At the end of your tour, your class will also have the opportunity to ask questions to the dairy farmer to be answered live!

Grades Pre-K – 2nd

View the Virtual Farm Tour of Walnutdale Farms in western Michigan. Farmer Aubrey shares her passion for caring for her cows and the land. She shows us the carousel milker, how the calves are taken care of and a free-stall barn.

31:16 minutes; Grades K – 2nd Academic Standards

Grades 6th – 12th

View the Virtual Farm Tour at SwissLane Farms. Follow dairy farmer, Annie Links, as she highlights the benefits of technology on her farm. See the robotic milkers in action!

53:30 minutes; Grades 6th – 12th Academic Standards

Grades 3rd – 5th

View the Virtual Farm Tour at Ritter Farms as dairy farmer, Brad Ritter takes you through the milking process. He also discusses what the calves and cows eat along with the goods produced on his dairy farm.

45:51 minutes; Grades 3rd – 5th Academic Standards

Journey of Milk: From Farm to Table

An educational video that focuses on teaching children in grades 3-5 where milk comes from and how it’s made. Narrators take students on a journey through the steps, called “stops,” of milk-making. Beginning with natural resources like sun and soil that help to nourish and feed the cows, into the milking parlor where cows are milked, through the processing, bottling and distribution of milk; and finally to the point where nutritious milk is most often consumed – the table! (20.06 min.)

View the video of a Virtual Farm Tour at Green Meadow Farms. Watch how a dairy farmer and veterinarian work together to care for the calves.

What you will need to participate in a LIVE Virtual Farm Tour:

An Internet connection
Capability to project your screen to a screen that can be viewed by all students.
Speakers to allow everyone to hear the dairy farmer.

Registering for a Virtual Farm Tour is as easy as 1-2-3!

Complete and submit the form at the link below to register your class and select the date for your virtual farm tour.
We’ll contact you to confirm your registration and provide further details for testing your connection to ensure your technology works and practicing with us if necessary to prepare you for your tour.
Click the link you’ll receive to join on the date of the tour and enjoy your virtual farm tour!

Academic Standards:

Visit our Educational Resource Page to order curriculum materials, handouts, posters and incentives.