Global Dairy Education Expands
Adopt a Cow Program Opens 2026-27 Enrollment, Reaching 9.4 Million Students Worldwide
Key Points
Barbara Peace, PACD first vice president and director of the Indiana County Conservation District, received the President’s Award for providing continuity and stability during a period of organizational change and leadership transition, and for representing and supporting PACD’s conservation efforts.
Tom Ulrich, an agricultural and erosion and sedimentation technician with the Washington County Conservation District since 2013, earned the Conservation District Employee Excellence Award for his leadership in regional agricultural conservation initiatives.
The Adopt a Cow program has reached more than 9.4 million students worldwide since its 2020 launch; in the 2025-26 school year it engaged more than 48,000 classrooms or groups across all 50 states and 38 countries, reaching more than 2.1 million students that year.
Tioga County 4-H members earned multiple top finishes at the statewide Wildlife and Forestry Outdoor Challenge, including Lily Gulvas (junior) placing first and Catherine Darmanin (teen) tying for first; Cash Lockward and Morgan Keeney also podiumed, with instruction from Tioga Bureau of Forestry staff and partners such as Kip Adams and Colin Lynch/Jordan Rabon.
The Center for Dairy Excellence will host an All Things Dairy conference call on Aug. 19 at noon to discuss biosecurity against diseases like New World Screwworm and HPAI, featuring Dr. Hayley Springer and Seth Confer from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture; topics include biosecurity measures, example written plans and state updates, with call-in and Zoom access information.
The Adopt a Cow program is now enrolling for the 2026-27 school year, having reached more than 9.4 million students worldwide since its 2020 launch. In the 2025-26 school year alone, the free program engaged more than 48,000 classrooms across all 50 states and 38 countries, reaching over 2.1 million students, according to Discover Dairy.
The program connects students with live farm updates, videos, and curriculum tied to national learning standards — all at no cost to teachers. It runs alongside a broader push in Pennsylvania to link dairy education, conservation work, and farm health into one connected effort.
Pennsylvania Conservationists Honored at Annual Conference
Two Pennsylvania conservationists were recognized at the PACD annual conference. Barbara Peace, first vice president of PACD and director of the Indiana County Conservation District, received the President's Award. She was honored for keeping the organization stable during a period of leadership change and for supporting statewide conservation efforts.
Tom Ulrich earned the Conservation District Employee Excellence Award. Ulrich has worked as an agricultural and erosion and sedimentation technician with the Washington County Conservation District since 2013. He was recognized for leading regional agricultural conservation projects across Pennsylvania.
Tioga County 4-H Students Sweep Wildlife Forestry Competition
Tioga County 4-H members brought home multiple top finishes at the statewide Wildlife and Forestry Outdoor Challenge. Lily Gulvas placed first in the junior division. Catherine Darmanin tied for first in the teen division. Cash Lockward and Morgan Keeney also finished on the podium.
The students trained with staff from the Tioga Bureau of Forestry, along with outside experts including Kip Adams and Colin Lynch and Jordan Rabon. The contest is part of a wider effort in Pennsylvania to teach young people hands-on skills in wildlife management and land stewardship.
PA Dairy Leaders to Address Farm Biosecurity Threats on Aug. 19
The Center for Dairy Excellence will host an All Things Dairy conference call on August 19 at noon. The call will focus on protecting farms from two serious disease threats: New World Screwworm and HPAI, also known as bird flu. Farmers can join by phone or Zoom.
Dr. Hayley Springer and Seth Confer from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will lead the discussion. Topics include what biosecurity measures farms should take, how to write a biosecurity plan, and the latest state updates. New World Screwworm is a pest that can kill livestock by feeding on living tissue.
National Wellness Month Spotlights Dairy's Role in Daily Health
August is National Wellness Month, and dairy groups are using it to push a simple message: eat three servings of dairy a day. That means a glass of milk, a cup of yogurt, or a slice of cheese at meals. Health advocates say small, consistent habits make the biggest difference.
The campaign ties directly into the Adopt a Cow program's broader mission — showing students and families where dairy comes from and why it matters. Dairy groups say connecting nutrition education to real farm experiences helps people make better food choices every day.
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