Cowboys and Calves: Educating Florida's Students on Cattle's Impact on Environment, Economy and Nutrition
4-H and Youth Programming
Lindsey Crum
Extension Agent III, MS
HENDRY COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE
LABELLE
Abstract
Florida faces a critical challenge: dwindling agricultural lands amidst a growing urban population of nearly 23 million people disconnected from the source of their food, fiber and ecosystem services. Focusing on urban dominated counties and a few rural counties (Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and Polk) only 37% of the acreage is dedicated to agriculture – supporting ranching, dairies, citrus, sugarcane, and vegetables. The region’s farmland has decreased by 20% over two decades, and apartment buildings, shopping centers, and homes for the new 881,000 people have taken its place. This disconnect threatens agriculture’s economic and environmental contributions, including clean water, purified air, wildlife habitat, and wildfire protection. The Adopt-A-Calf and Adopt-A-Cowboy programs address this by educating urban students on cattle’s role in the environment, economy, and our nutrition. UF/IFAS Extension Agents partnered with Discover Dairy, Florida Cattlemen’s Foundation, and Florida Beef Council to provide in-person and virtual education about dairy and beef industries. Objectives: increase knowledge on broader impacts of beef and dairy operations to the environment and economy, foster appreciation for ranchers and dairymen, and engaging 3,000 students annually. Each participating class receives: an educational visit by their cowboy and his horse, virtual ranch tours/videos, and supplemental educational materials that meet the Florida DOE’s Core Standards. During in-person visits students participated in hands-on learning by making butter, sampling beef sticks, petting calves and observing their horse-back cowboy crack his whip. In 2024, Adopt-A-Calf and Adopt-A-Cowboy reached 6,814 students, surpassing goals. A subset of students (n=2,405) took pre and post-tests. Nutrition knowledge increased by 76%, with students learning that milk has 13 essential nutrients and beef is rich in Zinc, Iron, and protein. Students also had large knowledge increases in cattle’s contribution to the environment and economy, 82% and 54% respectively. Even more impactful were conversations with teachers and chaperones who asked questions to clear misconceptions about animal care and the environmental impacts of livestock. By bridging the urban-rural divide, Adopt-A-Calf and Adopt-A-Cowboy countered the effects of shrinking farmlands and urban growth, ensuring Florida’s future generations value agriculture’s vital contributions.
Authors: Lindsey Crum, Colleen Larson, Lauren Butler, Christa Kirby, Bridget Stice, Kati Lawson
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Lindsey Crum Extension Agent III, MS, UF/IFAS, Florida, 33935
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Colleen Larson Regional Dairy Agent, UF/IFAS, Florida, 34974
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Lauren Butler Extension Agent III, UF/IFAS, Florida, 34974
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Christa Kirby Extension Agent IV, UF/IFAS, Florida, 34221
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Bridget Stice Extension Agent IV, UF/IFAS, Florida, 33830
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Kati Lawson Extension Agent II, UF/IFAS, Florida, 33875