Lucky the Calf
Awaiting Her New Owners
Photography
Courtesy Farmhearts

Get “Lucky”!
Farmhearts’ Adopt-a-Calf Program

What is a farm? Are all cows brown and white? Can cows make cheese? Is Lucky a boy or a girl? These are just a few of the questions students in Gina D’Urso‘s class at PS 212 in Manhattan had for dairy farmer Robin Fitch. Ms D’Urso‘s first-graders “adopted” this baby Holstein they named Lucky, born on the Fitch Family Farm in Herkimer County, New York.

Robin answered all the student’s questions, and continues to send them photos so they’ll be able to watch Lucky as she grows into a cow that will produce between four and six gallons of milk a day.

It’s official! Adopt-A-Calf is an excellent way to give urban children an appreciation of what it takes to produce the food they eat. This program can be easily replicated in other schools, and it can be adapted for children of all ages. What’s more, in time when school budgets are being squeezed, Adopt-A-Calf costs practically nothing, and it doesn’t require a lot–just a willing farmer, a resourceful teacher, enthusiastic children and an adorable calf!

If you’re a parent, or a teacher who would like to replicate this program– or if you’re a farmer who’d like to give young people an a glimpse of everything that goes into supplying America with healthful and abundant food supplies, then contact us at info@farmhearts.org. We’ll do our best to match willing farmers with participating classrooms.