Kurtland Farms Hosts Legislators for Dairy Education Tour

By Blake Jackson

On August 1, Pennsylvania lawmakers visited Kurtland Farms, a family-run dairy in Berks County, for a hands-on look at agriculture.

The event welcomed five state representatives and staff members, who toured the farm, met the calf they had “adopted” through Discover Dairy’s Adopt a Cow program, and heard directly from the Dairy Excellence Foundation team and farm employees.

The Adopt a Cow initiative, led by the Dairy Excellence Foundation, introduces classrooms across Pennsylvania and beyond to the realities of dairy farming.

This year, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives joined the program, allowing legislators to see firsthand what life on a dairy farm entails.

Representative Emily Kinkead, who represents the 20th district, played a key role in bringing the program to the House. Known for her dedication to hunger issues, Kinkead joined the Agriculture Committee after being elected and now serves as its Vice Chair.

When Kinkead learned about the Adopt a Cow program, she recognized its potential to foster food literacy not only in schools but also among her fellow lawmakers.

“We can actually learn about what goes into raising dairy cows and what happens on a dairy farm for people who wouldn’t necessarily be able to actually get out to a farm in person,” Rep. Kinkead explained.

Over the past year, legislators received monthly updates on their adopted calf, Mootilda, from Kurtland Farms. These included photos and educational insights about dairy farming. The updates became a highlight for many.

“We got a lot of buy-in from staff as well, which was fun. I would get emails in response to the calf updates, saying ‘This is a great way to start the week. I love hearing about Mootilda,’” Rep. Kinkead shared.

The year-long engagement culminated in the farm tour, where representatives were especially impressed by the advanced technology used at Kurtland Farms, a 330-cow operation with robotic milkers. The visit’s most anticipated moment came when the group met Mootilda in person, bringing the program full circle.

Through Rep. Kinkead’s leadership and the Adopt a Cow program, legislators gained a unique opportunity to connect directly with Pennsylvania dairy farmers and deepen their understanding of the state’s agriculture.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-digitalvision