California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo is fortunate enough to have a large variety of agriculture units conveniently located right on campus. These agriculture units allow students to have a hands-on experience in everything from animals such as pigs and cows, to meat processing and food safety. The units employ students as early as their freshman year, and allow them to gain hands-on experience while still in college.
I decided to dive a little deeper into the dairy unit, one of the largest agriculture units and the closest to the heart of campus. The dairy produces milk, cheese, and ice cream that are sold on campus. It is heavily staffed by students who do a variety of jobs. Some of these jobs include feeding and milking. Students also have the opportunity to take part in an enterprise that allows them to be there and assist with a live birth of a calf! Students within the dairy science major are devoted to keeping the dairy running as efficiently as possible.
When Cal Poly junior Chandler Hall was asked to tell a little about the dairy unit she said: “We all rely on each other to get everything done in a timely manner. That has taught me a lot about how the dairy industry works as a community.” Hall is a milker at the dairy and loves her job. She has gained years of experience while attending school. The unit has provided her with skills that put her above other job applicants for post-grad jobs.
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