In a unique and hands-on approach to learning, students at South Stokes High School are getting a taste of farm life as they actively participate in the care and nurturing of baby goats. This unconventional classroom experience is part of the Agriculture class curriculum, led by the dedicated Mrs. Ferguson.
The initiative aims to provide students with practical insights into animal husbandry, responsibility, and teamwork. Mrs. Ferguson believes that caring for baby goats not only enhances students' understanding of agricultural practices but also instills a sense of accountability and compassion.
Mrs. Ferguson shared, "The goat program at South Stokes has presented students with an opportunity to develop skills that they might not have access to outside of school. These are skills like animal husbandry, breeding, kidding, feeding, etc. but students also develop employability skills, like communication, responsibility, and work ethic. We have four goats that we breed each year. During the breeding process students study selective breeding, reproductive anatomy and physiology. This year we bred the girls to a dapple buck, which refers to the spotted markings. Our animal science students use this to track genetic probability of pheno and geno-types. As you can see, not all babies end up with the dapple markings. Then, students are responsible for the kidding process. This includes checking for signs of parturition (birth) multiple times a day, and helping if necessary with the birth. This year, the girls did a fantastic job and didn't need intervention. We still prepare the students to look for signs of dystocia (trouble giving birth.) Once the babies are born, students get to participate in tagging, vaccinating, castrating and dehorning and on a regular basis they are responsible for feeding/watering, trimming hooves, and deworming. "
As students continue to nurture their newfound friends, the South Stokes High School Agriculture class is proving that sometimes, the best lessons are learned with a little hay, a few baby goats, and a whole lot of enthusiasm.