Students may never look at a carton of milk the same way again after seeing firsthand where dairy milk comes from, thanks to farmer Larry Graham and his favorite cow, Missy.

Graham and L.P. Voskamp are instructors for the Southwest Dairy Farmers Mobile Dairy Classroom, an outreach program that teaches children about the dairy industry. Elmore Elementary School students recently learned how dairy foods contribute to good health, the anatomy of dairy cows, and how the milking process works. They also got to meet Missy up close.

Graham explained how milk is made and how it gets from the cow to homes and schools. He demonstrated how to milk Missy and explained that two breeds of cows in the U.S. supply most of the milk — Holsteins and Jerseys.

“This was a great opportunity for our students to see where milk comes from and why it is important to drink it,” said HISD Nutrition Education Dietitian Jennifer Griffin Lengyel, who follows up with related classes on nutrition. “They also learned about the nine essential nutrients that dairy products provide.”

The Mobile Dairy Classroom teaches students in an engaging way that gets them excited about learning. To schedule a free class, click here.

The Mobile Dairy Classroom plans to visit the following HISD schools in January:

Revere Middle School – Jan. 8, 2015

Golfcrest Elementary School – Jan. 9, 2015

Roland P. Harris Elementary School – Jan. 14, 2015

Wheatley High School – Jan. 14, 2015

Crockett Elementary School – Jan. 16, 2015

Houston Academy for International Studies – Jan. 16, 2015.