FIVE Cork primary schools visited a working dairy farm in Ballinhassig last week as part of a hands-on educational iniatiative.

St Mark’s Boys NS and St Brendan’s GNS (both The Glen), Clondrohid NS (Macroom), Upper Glanmire NS and Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Choileáin (Clonakilty) took part in the programme led by the National Dairy Council
(NDC).

On the farm of Ballinhassig dairy farmer Rickey Barrett the pupils took part in interactive learning stations covering grass growth, animal welfare, milk production and nutrition.

NDC farmer ambassador Katie Gleeson spoke to pupils about how grass is grown and managed to feed the dairy herd.

They met calves and learned about animal welfare, and toured the milking parlour, gaining insight into the milking process and how modern dairy farming operates.

Pupils followed the journey of milk from grass to glass, learning how it is collected and supplied through their school milk co-operative, Clóna Dairy Products Ltd.

Hammer throw Olympian and Clóna Dairy Products Ltd ambassador Nicola Tuthill also attended the visit, speaking to pupils about growing up on a dairy farm and how dairy supports her training and recovery in sport.

The visit comes as new NDC research shows that more than half (56%) of parents of children under 12 say their child has never seen a cow being milked. Parents in Munster were the most likely in the country to report their child has had that experience.

Rickey Barrett, who hosted the visit, said it was a great experience to welcome local students onto his farm.

Pupils Leo Cahill, Zakk Forde, and Sam Hayes from Gaelscoil Mhichil Uí Choileáin, Clonakilty, visiting the farm.

‘It was great to see how curious they were from the moment they arrived. They really engaged with everything from the calves to how we use grass to feed the herd and produce milk,’ he said.

‘What stood out most was how quickly they made the connection between what happens here on the farm and the milk they see in their school through Clóna. It’s brilliant to be able to show them that journey in real life.’

Lorna Ní Aodha, teacher at Gaelscoil Mhichíl Uí Choileáin in Clonakilty, said the visit was ‘really well organised and very engaging for the children’.

She added: ‘The calves were definitely the highlight. I think a few of them would have happily tried to bring one home with them! They were fascinated by seeing how a working farm operates day to day, and for many of them it was their first time on a farm, so it really helped bring what they learn in school to life.’

The EU School Milk Scheme, co-funded by the European Union and Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, provides subsidised milk to schools alongside educational resources promoting nutrition and food awareness. It is delivered in Ireland by the NDC through its Moo Crew initiative.

School Farm Visits 2026 will see 25 primary schools bring almost 1,500 pupils to five dairy farms nationwide. Schools interested in taking part can find more information at MooCrew.ie/schoolmilk.