SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Three dairy farmers and American Dairy Association North East are preparing to host the Spring 2021 Virtual Farm Tours, May 11-13. Farmers are encouraged to share the information with their local schools to help teachers find engaging educational materials for students learning in school and remotely.

The tours use video chat technology to give students a real-time, live visit with a dairy farmer. In addition to being hosted via Zoom for those joining in the classroom, each tour will be available on ADA North East’s Facebook Live and YouTube Live, so students can tune in from home, as well.

Tour information is as follows:
May 11 – Pre-K to Grade 3, at Talview Dairy led by Stacey Copenhaver, Lebanon, Pa., from 1-1:30 p.m.
May 12 – Grades 8-12, at Mulligan Farm led by Emilie Mulligan, Avon, N.Y., from 1-2 p.m.

May 13 – Grades 4-7, at Stauffer Farm led by Adam Bates, North Lawrence, N.Y., from Noon-1 p.m.

In the first 24 hours of airing, the Fall 2020 Virtual Farm Tours saw 40,000 students learning in-school or at home tune into the tours. The viewers also had nearly 4,000 direct, real-time comments, questions or engagements.

“While we were unable to welcome guests to our farm, we were thrilled to be able to offer our on-farm experience to students virtually,” said 2020 tour host Hannah Worden of Will-O-Crest Farm in Clifton Springs, N.Y. “During the tour, our virtual guests saw how we care for our cows and the environment, and how we contribute to our local communities.”

Since ADA North East started the Virtual Farm Tour program in 2018, the tours have been viewed more than 350,000 times. The majority of views came during the 2020 pandemic after the tours were re-promoted.