Dairy
Simeon Career Academy Culinary Class Visits Golden Oak Farms
On November 15, 2022, the Farm to School program organized a field trip for the culinary students of Simeon Career Academy to visit Golden Oak Farms in Wauconda, IL. The dairy farm, known for its outstanding Holstein cows, has been a part of the Crown family for over 70 years and produces 19 million pounds of milk annually.
Students and chaperones enjoyed an informative tour, starting with a presentation about cows and continuing through the entire process of milk production and distribution. As one Simeon student remarked, "It was a bit smelly, but a lot of fun." Another student expressed amazement at the process, stating, "I learned a lot about milk and how it’s produced. It’s amazing."
They had the opportunity to interact with the friendly Holstein cows, learn about animal care, milk production, crops and feeding, and recycling. The tour also highlighted the connection between milk production and its delivery to businesses and schools. A chaperone commented on the value of the experience, saying, "These are great programs for the students. They don’t get to see much of this living in the city."
At the end of the tour, students received gift bags containing educational materials about the farm, cheese pairing, and marketing items. They also enjoyed a delicious lunch of sun butter & jelly sandwiches and vegetables with ranch dressing on their way back to school. A farm representative expressed gratitude for the visit, noting, "I’m glad you guys were able to make this happen for the students; we enjoy giving tours for schools and teaching them about our business and lifestyles."
The event successfully supported the Farm to School program, promoted milk and dairy products served in CPS cafeterias, and fostered a stronger relationship with the Midwest Dairy Council.
Watch the video to see highlights from the tour and experience the memorable moments shared by students, chaperones, and farm representatives.
