B-H STUDENTS LEARN THE ROPES OF CATTLE INDUSTRY

    Local youth are gaining hands-on experience with an industry that plays a vital role in South Dakota. This spring, fourth and fifth graders at Britton-Hecla have been participating in the Adopt-a-Cow program through SDSU Extension, learning about the importance of the beef industry.
    The program connects students with real South Dakota cattle through virtual interactions and hands-on activities. Lessons align with state education standards and incorporate a mix of videos, math worksheets, letter writing, reading materials, and additional resources from organizations like National Ag in the Classroom.
    Students also explore the history of cattle in the Dakota Territory, create their own cattle brands, and learn about livestock care. The program highlights the industry’s economic impact, teaching youth how beef reaches grocery store shelves and the various byproducts it provides.
    Jennifer Ringkob, SDSU Extension 4-H Youth Program Advisor, has been leading the program at Britton-Hecla, visiting the fourth and fifth grade classrooms of Paula Hanson, Courtney Paulson, and Kari Furman since February. She said students have been highly engaged in the material and particularly enjoyed creating cattle brands, designing ID tags, and managing a ranch during the “MooManagement” game.
    Fifth-grade teacher Kari Furman said the program provided a meaningful learning experience. “I felt that the Adopt-a-Cow program was great for students to learn about animal agriculture. The students really seemed to enjoy it and got involved in all the activities.”
    Fourth-grade teacher Courtney Paulson said the program resonated with many of her students, especially those from farming and ranching families. “My students loved diving in deeper with their knowledge of cattle. Learning about branding, how genetics work, and deciding what rations to feed really sparked their interest.”
    Students also shared their excitement about the program. “I liked learning about Punnett squares and heredity,” said fourth-grader Weston Hastings. “I didn’t know that cows have more than one stomach. I really enjoyed making the meal rations and eating our version,” added Laken Tosse. “MooManagement was really fun! You had to make good decisions for your ranch and have good money management,” said Gianna Nordquist.
    Ringkob, who has deep roots in the cattle industry, said she enjoys getting into the classroom and sharing her knowledge. “It’s always fun to help students make connections with important industries in South Dakota. We appreciate the support of the state, county, and schools to give us a chance to do this,” she said.