This story is part of a series of “meet & greets” with individuals who use our Adopt a Cow program to inspire you with the endless ways you can incorporate the program in the classroom and beyond!

Rylee Murdoch teaches third grade (soon to be fourth grade) in Idaho Falls, Idaho. After growing up on a beef cattle ranch, she has always been passionate about introducing her students to the world of agriculture. When she heard about Discover Dairy’s Adopt a Cow Program, she knew she wanted to sign up her classroom. We sat down with her for a Q&A on how she utilized the program with her elementary students.

Why did you decide to sign up for the Adopt a Cow program?

I saw a video on TikTok and knew I had to sign up. I grew up on a beef cattle ranch so I thought it would be fun to incorporate agriculture into my classroom. This is only my first year teaching.

What grade do you teach?

I teach 3^rd grade. We have a wide range of demographics. We have very nice neighborhoods all the way to a couple of homeless shelters in our school boundaries.

What was your favorite part of the program?

I loved having a class pet without having to take care of it. We did a lot of writing reflections about our cow, Bella. Discovery Dairy was so fun to have in my classroom! I am moving up to fourth grade next year, and my students have been asking if I am doing it again. They absolutely loved it!

Why is it important to teach students where their milk and food comes from?

When I was in high school in an agricultural class, we called numbers located in big cities. We asked them questions like, “Where do we get chocolate milk?” We were baffled by their answers. I grew up around agriculture and I think that even if kids don’t, they should be educated about agriculture and dairy farming.

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The Adopt a Cow Program is now open for enrollment for the 2025 school year! Click here to learn more and adopt a cow for your classroom today. The program, which impacted more than 1.7 million students last school year, is free thanks to support from Discover Dairy partners and donors.

Discover Dairy is an educational series managed by the Center for Dairy Excellence Foundation of Pennsylvania in partnership with American Dairy Association Northeast, American Dairy Association Indiana, Midwest Dairy, The Dairy Alliance, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, Dairy Management West, Dairy West, New England Dairy, Dairy Farmers of Washington, American Dairy Association Mideast, Dairy Council of Florida, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Maine Dairy and Nutrition Council, and Oregon Dairy Council.