Appreciating agriculture: Milking cows at Wheeler Farm helps kids learn where food comes from

At Wheeler Farm they milk cows the old-fashioned way.

Every day at 4:15 and 5 p.m., the farmhands give a demonstration and informative talk about milking cows and anyone is invited to give it a try. The cost for the experience is a 50-cent token.

"It's our way of showing how milking was originally done on the farm, before life became mechanized," says Rick Snow, head historic farmer. "We're one of the few places left where this happens."

So many kids nowadays just think food comes from the store, Snow says. They don't appreciate the role of agriculture. He remembers a little boy who was there when they were gathering eggs. "He picked up an egg, and I asked him if he'd like to keep it. 'No,' he said, 'my mother buys the real ones at the store.'"

It's good for kids to know where food comes from, says Emily Hellstrom, who is one of the farmers who do the milking demonstrations. "And it's fun for them to actually try to milk. Our cows are really patient. And they are a lot smarter than most people think. They know the order they come in and keep track of it."

The cow is brought into the milking parlor and secured into a stall. "The only thing you don't want to do is walk or stand right behind it," says Hellstrom.

There are three cows currently being milked, and each has its own body type and personality, she says. "Lola, a Jersey, likes to swish her tail, so we tie it down so we don't get hit in the face."

Because Lola is smaller, you have to sit closer to the ground for her than you do for Jessie, a Holstein.

There is a definite technique to milking, says Cherstin Bagley, another of the farm workers. Before beginning, they wipe down the cow's udder with a warm cloth. "That helps to get the milk flowing," she says. "Then you grasp the teat with your whole hand. Pinch off the top with your thumb and finger and squeeze all the way down." Alternate with the other teats.

She can get a good rhythm going and can fill a bucket in no time. First time milkers are a little more tentative; some are not sure if it's something they want to do.

"At first it felt weird and squishy," said Brittney Miller, after her milking stint. "But it's really cool."

Added Nessa Pantfoerder, "It's harder than you think. But I thought it was fun." She and her family stopped at Wheeler Farm on their way from San Diego to Yellowstone. They found out about the program online. Her mother, Gabi, says she is "kind of known for finding odd things to do. I thought this would be something the kids would enjoy."