There was a time in Fontana when it was as common for families to keep poultry and livestock as it is for today's families to have cats and dogs.  Now, however, farm animals in Fontana are few and far between and some students have never even seen a real live cow.  That changed for the students at Chaparral Elementary School on Monday, March 1, when the Dairy Council of California’s Mobile Classroom brought instructor Mr. Valenzuela, Buttercup the diary cow, and her bull calf, Monterey Jack, for an up close and personal learning experience.

Buttercup, a black and white Holstein, stood placidly in her open-sided trailer as Mr. Valenzuela described her anatomy, her care, and the processing of her milk.  During the presentation the students learned that a dairy cow has 24 molars and that they chew from side to side. In an average day, a dairy cow will consume 20 pounds of grain, 35 pounds of alfalfa hay and 35 gallons of water.  Dairy cows produce 7 to 12 gallons of milk per day.  In a one year period, dairy cows produce milk for 10 months.  Mr. Valenzuela also stressed the importance of proper nutrition and the need to get out and exercise every day – for both cows and people.

Mr. Valenzuela said that Buttercup was too large and strong to let out of her trailer.  “If Buttercup and I had a tug of war, who would win?” he asked the students.  “She would!” they heartily agreed.  Instead, he brought out her bull calf, Monterey Jack, so the students could each have the opportunity to pet him on the shoulder at the end of the presentation.

The students weren't the only ones to enjoy Buttercup and Monterey Jack's visit.  Principal Craig Baker shared that he learned more about dairy cows in 20 minutes then he has in his entire life.  He credits Harold Sullens, Mark Chavez, Vickie Ireton, and Hilda Castillo of Food Services for helping to arrange the visit by Mr. Valenzuela, Buttercup, and Monterey Jack.  Their visit was sponsored by the Dairy Council of California, which has been bringing the farm to schools since the 1930’s.  They are able to reach more than 350,000 elementary school students each year.  In an ongoing effort to give back to the community, numerous California dairies support the program by providing cows for the school visits.  The program teaches children about making healthy choices from all food groups and being physically active for lifelong health and wellness.

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