Cole Stewart, right, pets one of the Hostein calves during Dairy Day at the LSU AgCenter's Dairy Farm as Willie Charles waits his turn. (Photo by Johnny Morgan. Click on image for downloadable photo.)

Students from the Southdowns Preschool Center in Baton Rouge now understand what a cow sounds like and what a pig feels like since attending Dairy Day at the LSU AgCenter Dairy Farm on March 16.

The special needs students have been learning about animals on the farm, but they received first-hand experience during the annual dairy event.

“We have Dairy Day here every year, but this is the first time that we’ve held a special needs dairy day,” said Jane Landry, first vice president of the LSU Dairy Science Club.

The event is an educational petting zoo for the students who get to touch and feed some of the animals.

Dairy Day draws nearly 1,000 Pre-K students from Baton Rouge and the surrounding area each year.

The event includes 15 stations for students, parents and teachers to have a close-up experience with farm animals.

“We have chickens, pigs, ducks, cows, calves, goats, sheep, rabbits, a horse and this year we have a special guest – a 70-pound tortoise,” Landry said.

Not only were the students excited about being on the farm, but teachers were excited when they came to the Willie, the fistulated s

Caitlyn Johnson tries her hand at agricultural research during Dairy Day, as Willie, the steer, waits for her to stick her hand into his stomach to feel what he's been eating. (Photo by Johnny Morgan. Click on image for downloadable photo.)

“This is always a hit. After watching me, sometimes the kids even get enough courage to stick their hand in the animal’s side to feel how warm it is inside the stomach,” Landry said.

Teachers said talking about animals in class picques the students’ interest, but it’s amazing to see the reaction when they see a real, live animal.

“I have one little girl who barely says four words on any given day, but today, she has been talking to every animal. And as soon as she learns an animal’s name she just keeps calling that name,” said Hallie Spiers, a pre-school teacher.

Monique Howard, whose son is in pre-K, was excited her son had such a good time.

“I think it’s the hands-on experience that they can’t get from a book that is most important here,” Howard said.

Not only do the students visiting learn a lesson, but the dairy science club members also experience a teaching moment.

“This event has been going on for many years, but this year we decided to bring in children with special needs, and that gives our students a chance to interact with these young people with special needs and very limited knowledge of agriculture,” said Bruce Jenny, LSU AgCenter dairy science professor.

Johnny Morgan