Lily the Cow Brings Farm Life to the Classroom

Students in Colleen Kennedy’s and LeeAnn Costantini’s class at Brookhaven Learning Center are getting a special look into farm life after adopting a three-month-old calf named Lily from Fouts Farms in Cortland, NY. Lily is a Holstein heifer who was born on September 4, 2025, and she has quickly become a star in the classroom. Each month, the class receives updates on Lily’s weight, height, health, and daily activities. “They add pictures and videos so we can see her growth,” said Kennedy. “The students love watching Lily on the smartboard and hearing about her updates.”

Lily’s personality has made her a favorite among students. “We learned that Lily is a mischievous cow who loves to sneak out of her pen and steal another cow’s food,” Kennedy shared. Her playful behavior with the farmers has sparked plenty of excitement, and each update becomes its own mini lesson. Students have explored topics like the parts of a cow, dairy farming, and have created several cow themed crafts inspired by Lily.

In a fun coincidence, Hannah Jahrsdoerfer’s class also adopted a calf and received Ivy, Lily’s half-sister.

Students also rallied behind Lily in Discover Dairy’s “America’s Favorite Calf” contest and proudly celebrated when she placed third. They honored Lily during the school’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade with a barn themed float featuring their beloved calf.

The classes look forward to more updates throughout the year and have already signed up for a virtual dairy farm tour to learn even more about life on a farm.