Moo-ved by cow project

Year 3 and 4 students at Harvey Primary School were kept busy decorating a life-sized fibreglass cow last term for the Picasso Cows program.

The 12-week program was part of an initiative by Dairy Australia to teach primary school children about the Australian dairy industry and the health benefits of eating dairy foods.

This year the students focused on a “farm to plate” theme where they learnt about the process of farming, what a typical day in the life of a farmer looks like and where milk comes from.

As part of their learning, the students went on two excursions which included a visit to White Rocks Farm and the WA College of Agriculture.

The students also had a visit from Harvey Fresh workers, Forrest MHR Nola Marino and cheese expert Robert St Duke.

This was the first Picasso Cow project Year 4 teacher Peter Gustafsson ha participated in and he was pleased with the result.

“We already have requests from the Harvey Visitor Centre and the Brunswick Show wanting to put it (the Picasso cow) on display,” Mr Gustafsson said.

“We chose to do the majority of our research with a hands-on approach, involving the community where we could.

“I think it has been a great project that has taught the students and myself a lot about the dairy industry that we probably didn’t know.”