Four West Cork dairy farming households recently devised a pilot programme that brought schools and local farms together in a class act.
Denis and Colette O’Donovan, Glandore; John and Veronica Cullinane, Ballineen; John and Marie Hurley, Dunmanway and Sean and Fiona Deasy, Timoleague, were keen to include schoolchildren in the running of working dairy farms.
Denis O’Donovan said the four farming families knew each other and got together with the thought that they could be more proactive in interaction with their local schools.
“We thought it would be great to bring fifth and sixth class pupils, as well as transition year pupils, out to our farms,” he said.
They approached the four co-ops that process their milk: Lisavaird; Bandon; Drinagh and Barryroe, to ask for their assistance with the pilot programme.
“We did the organising off our own bat, but we wanted the co-ops’ blessing and help. They supplied us with a lorry and a driver,” Denis said.
“The co-ops sent their milk manager to talk about milk quality and transportation. Clonakilty agricultural college also sent a representative to talk to the transition year students all about the ag-related courses available.
“Enda Buckley and Timmy McCarthy from the sustainability team in Carbery, along with Louise Kelly in communications, helped in explaining to the schoolchildren what happens in the processing of milk into Dubliner cheese,” Denis explained.
With the pilot scheme concluded, the initiative is back up for review. Denis said:
“Our vision is that there would be a similar programme throughout the Carbery collection area and that local schoolchildren would be able to see how working dairy farms operate. That’s our goal.”
The Glandore farmer would like to see the programme go national: “I would like it to be a national initiative because there is a huge disconnect between consumers and farmers and it would bridge the gap.
“Colette and I got a great kick out of answering the children’s questions, and explaining that Ireland is unusual in having grass-fed cows. They also got to experience the lovely texture of Irish butter.”
Ríona Murray, principal of Glandore National School, said that she and her class jumped at the opportunity to be involved in a tour of Denis’ farm.
“While few of the children in my class are being reared on farms, many have expressed interest in a future career in agriculture.
“While we have all heard of farm-to-fork, the tour brought the children from field to fridge. We were shown all stages of the dairy process and the input of Lisavaird Co-Op and Carbery really helped the children to explore all stages of the process.
“Lisavaird bought along the bulk tank that collects Denis’ milk and they demonstrated how the milk is collected, explained the processes that ensure the milk arrives at Carbery Group, meeting quality and safety checks,” said Ríona, who is the daughter of a retired dairy farmer.
“Representatives from Carbery chatted with the children about the processes involved in cheese making and the other products that they produce in our local factory.
“The tour was an incredible experience for the pupils, due to the passion and enthusiasm demonstrated by Denis and Colette on their incredible farm. We were even welcomed by Denis’ parents on the day,” the principal said.
“The highlight for the children was seeing the adorable newborn calves, and many of the children reflected on how our local farmers are looking at their practices and how they can make them more sustainable.
“The children were impressed by natural solutions to farming challenges such as planting clover with grass to naturally add nitrogen to the land, and how Denis and his family are planning on adding solar panels to their shed roof to generate electricity for their dairying process,” Ríona said.