FIELD TRIP FAQs
What size of group can you host?
We host individuals to groups of 100! If your group is larger than 100, it may need to split into two sessions or special arrangements must be made. We will divide your group into groups of about 20 and move through the visit in rotations.
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How long does the tour last?
Depending on the size of the group, you can plan on spending an hour and a half to two hours here.
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How much does it cost?
School field trips will be charged $2 per person. This includes students, teachers and chaperones.
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How do we pay?
We accept cash, card, or check. We can also send an invoice if requested.
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What grade is appropriate to bring?
All! We have hosted anywhere from PreK to College students as well as Homeschool Groups. We can adjust each part of the tour to make the content age appropriate for the group.
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Can we have lunch there?
While we only provide a yogurt snack, you are welcome to enjoy a packed lunch. However, there will be a charge of $1 per student if lunch is eaten here as we must allow for more time and cleaning.
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Can chaperones attend?
If you choose to bring chaperones, please stick to the following suggestions. Space is limited on the shuttle for the barn tour. For K-2nd Grade, we suggest limiting to 1 adult for every 12 students. For 3rd Grade and up, we suggest 1 adult for every 20 students.
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Is the Dairy Learning Center wheelchair accessible?
Yes! We have an elevator and wheelchair ramp. Please notify us so that student's group begins their visit at the station with least travel.
FIELD TRIP OVERVIEW
Each of these will be tailored to the group's age level. If there is any topic you'd like us to cover to fit into your class's content, let us know!
FLOOR 1: The Two Familes Behind MVP & Regenerative Farming Students will learn about the two families that own MVP Dairy through video, wall display or interactive game. We will discuss manure managment, soil health and the importance of regerative agriculture. We will also view our milk truck bay through a window.
FLOOR 2: The Milking Parlor Students will view the cows being milked and understand the milking process. They will get to step out onto our viewing deck for a closer look at the carousel. There is a mock calf to bottle feed and a mock cow to hand milk. Students will get to feel a real milking unit and play an interactive game about genetics.
FLOOR 2: YOGURT SNACK Grades Kindergarten-6th will play a grocery game identifying which common products contain dairy. Everyone will get to enjoy a yogurt snack. After that, they can explore a virtual grocery store or play matching games. Grades 6 and aboove will get to play 2 virtual reality games if time allows.
BARN SHUTTLE Take a shuttle ride through our freestall barns. We will discuss dairy cows' habits, diets, and comfort. Students and guests are not permitted to touch the cows for safety and biosecurity, and we will remain on the shuttle.
FIELD TRIP PROTOCOL
Teachers and chaperones are expected to assist in maintaining a quiet volume and positive learning environment and to stay with students at all times. Group leaders are expected to have their group divided as instructed by a Dairy Learning Center team member prior to their arrival. If lunch is eaten here, groups must clean up all trash and wipe down tables.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Before You Arrive
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Please divide your group into the number indicated by a Learning Center team member.
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Discuss the importance of maintaining a respectful and quiet environment, especially near the cows.
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​If your group is eating a packed lunch here, have the students' lunch boxes collected in a box/basket so they can be taken upstairs prior to the start of the tour.
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Be prepared for payment. Have students admission collected or let us know if an invoice should be sent.
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Arriving at MVP Dairy Learning Center
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Use Entrance on Hasis Road next to the pond in front of the dairy.
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Enter through the door under the Dairy Learning Center Sign.
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Send in one Teacher/ Chaperone, before the students, to sign in the whole group.
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Where to Park
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Busses may park in the back or straight forward of the parking lot.
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Lunch Information (If Applicable)
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Have all lunches gathered so they can be taken upstairs before the start of the tour.
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Fridge space is limited, so have students pack a lunch that does not need refrigerated.
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Encourage students to bring their own drink.
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After lunch, please throw all trash away and wipe down tables with cloths provided by your tour guide.
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Teachers and Chaperones must maintain control over students after lunch by giving them proper guidance to wait at the tables, or respectfully play the games upstairs prior to your departure.
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