Agriculture, Community

Urban Cow Program has begun in Woodbury County

You can still register if you get mooooving and call the Woodbury County office of ISU Extension and Outreach

Chickens and cows are appearing in urban/suburban yards of Siouxland. But before you start growing your food source with real poultry and livestock, you might want to take the Urban Cow program offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. (Photo by Laura Alessia on Pexels.com)

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The trend of people using their homestead to grow some of their own food is expanding to growing their own eggs and dairy. “Before you can grow your food source, there is some work and research that needs to be done,” according to Fred Hall, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“Understanding your goals and resources, understanding the animals you will be caring and providing for, and finally understanding the systems required for your new lifestyle are all important factors,” said Hall.

These factors and more are covered in the Urban Cow Series, a program for families who want to produce their own food and enjoy the homesteader lifestyle. The series began Jan. 9 and continues with four more sessions, January through April.

The first session focused on goals and resources that the family needs to consider before jumping into the new endeavor, Hall noted. “This series will help you gain knowledge and resources to make the best decision for your family and lifestyle and be successful in producing wholesome and safe dairy from your own animals. You can choose to attend any or all five programs.”

David Schmidt (left), Ankeny, and Kim Alexander (center), Smithland, discuss animal health during the first session in the Urban Cow Series on Jan. 9 at the ISU Extension and Outreach Woodbury County Office in Sioux City. (Photo by Fred M. Hall)

All sessions will be hosted from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the ISU Extension and Outreach Woodbury County Office located at 4728 Southern Hills Drive in Sioux City. The schedule for the remaining sessions includes:

  • Jan. 23 – Asset Needs: What animal(s) will best fit your needs? The discussion will cover species and breeds, as well as their land, housing facilities, milking equipment, and time and labor requirements.
  • Feb. 13 – Animal Husbandry: The discussion will focus on animal husbandry, nutrition and health.
  • March 6 – Sanitation: Having a plan for sanitation and milking protocols is extremely important. The session will cover guidelines and talk about options.
  • April 3 – Cheese Making: This session will explore best management practices for cheese production and will feature a hands-on demonstration.

Registration for the remaining sessions can be completed online or by contacting the ISU Extension and Outreach Woodbury County Office at 712-276-2157. The registration fee is $10 per session or $20 for all the remaining sessions and should be completed at least one day prior to the program.

For more information about the Urban Cow Series, call Hall at 712-737-4230 or visit the Urban Cow Series webpage.

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