Jaclyn Yacobucci’s students at Pleasant Avenue Elementary School are learning all about cows and the dairy industry this year through an interactive and creative experience—they’ve adopted a cow named Lily!
To be clear, Lily the calf isn’t actually living at Pleasant Avenue. She lives on a farm in Cortland, NY, and was adopted virtually by Mrs. Yacobucci’s classroom.
Through Discover Dairy’s “Adopt a Cow” program, farmers connect with classrooms and use their calves as agricultural teaching tools in a year-long learning experience. Farmers send regular photos and videos of the calf, and students can even check in on their adopted cow at home with their families using a special app.
Students get a front-row seat as they learn where milk comes from and how dairy farmers contribute to our world—an experience that even includes fun classroom taste tests!
“Students have really been loving their lessons about Lily,” Yacobucci said. “They’re excited to receive updates and new pictures, and they’ve had fun connecting dairy lessons with hands-on experiences that allow them to sample ice cream, milk, whipped cream, and even cream cheese.”
The classroom maintains a growth chart, and students work together to track Lily’s development throughout the year. The program also provides grade-appropriate activities and lesson ideas for teachers, helping bridge the gap between the classroom and real-world agriculture while bringing learning to life in a meaningful and memorable way.
Recently, Superintendent of Schools Alicia D. Koster and Pleasant Avenue Principal Cory Cotter visited Mrs. Yacobucci’s classroom to celebrate students by presenting them with certificates naming them “Honorary Dairy Farmers.”
“I love this kind of creative teaching,” Superintendent Koster said. “Students are learning the curriculum in a fun, interactive, and hands-on way that deepens their understanding and keeps them engaged. As we strengthen our own Agriquest Farm to School program here at GJSD, it’s lessons like this that help students gain a deeper appreciation for agriculture and where our own food comes from.”
Principal Cory Cotter also praised the innovative approach, saying, “Mrs. Yacobucci has a wonderful ability to bring learning to life for her students. By making lessons engaging, hands-on, and connected to the real world, she sparks curiosity and excitement that helps students truly understand and remember what they’re learning.”
