In the United States, the “Adopt a Cow” program, a unique educational initiative by Discover Dairy, has engaged over 1.7 million students globally and is now accepting enrollment for the 2025–26 school year. The program offers free, interactive dairy farming education to classrooms, creating a hands-on learning experience that connects students to real dairy farms and farmers.
Discover Dairy, an initiative by the Dairy Excellence Foundation based in Pennsylvania, has reported a major milestone for its flagship program, “Adopt a Cow,” which has now reached over 1.7 million students worldwide. The program is currently open for enrollment for the 2025–26 school year, accepting registrations from May 1 to September 15, 2025.
Offered free to teachers and educational groups, “Adopt a Cow” enables classrooms to adopt a real dairy calf from a U.S. farm. Students receive regular updates through photos, videos, and activities, allowing them to explore dairy farming in a hands-on and engaging way. The curriculum is aligned with Common CORE standards and designed to improve agricultural literacy.
During the past school year, over 43,000 classrooms participated in the program, which also includes live virtual farm chats and direct interactions with dairy farmers. These components have enhanced student connection and understanding of where their food comes from.
Brittany Snyder, Dairy Education Program Manager at the Dairy Excellence Foundation, expressed pride in the record-breaking participation. “We had the highest number of students impacted by Adopt a Cow in program history this year, and we hope to continue building on this momentum,” she stated.
With over 99% of participating teachers reporting improved student perceptions of the dairy industry, the program has demonstrated measurable success in shaping agricultural awareness and trust.
Registration for the next school year remains open until September 15, 2025, welcoming classrooms interested in enriching their learning experience through dairy education.
