Milk — it does a lesson good

Staff report

youngstown

About a dozen little hands flew in the air when Kim Moff asked Millcreek Children’s Center students how many thought she brought a real cow to their school.

Moff, an agricultural educator from Mill Creek MetroParks Farm, brought a cow puppet to the center to help students understand the milking process and how the beverage ends up on their tables.

During the colder months, MetroParks Farm educators visit area schools and provide educational programs, including “Happiness is ... a Cow!,” which teaches students all the steps to milk making, and even shows them how to churn cream to make butter.

“They [cows] make enough milk to feed seven babies each day,” Moff said after explaining that cows must have babies to produce milk.

“That’s a lot!” said 4-year-old Ta’Liyah Wallace.

After the milk is processed, syrup can be added to make chocolate or strawberry milk, and the milk also can be turned into different foods such as cheese for pizza, ice cream, whipped cream and sour cream, Moff told the children.

“What else can we make from milk?” she asked.

“Butter can be made out of milk,” answered Columbus Jones, 4.

Moff brought an old-fashioned butter churn for the demonstration and allowed students to take turns cranking the handle until whipped butter appeared. Teachers spread the special treat on to crackers, and students were able to taste their creamy creation.

“It tastes like cream,” said Monica Cash, 4, while classmate Shay Cecil-Lott, 4, said, “It tastes like milk!”

Ta’Liyah took the new flavor a bit more literally, saying, “It tastes like cow!”