Soo Line: ‘Discovery’ Happens When Cattle Congress Offers a Big Classroom

Soo Line by Soo Greiman 

More than 1,200 northeastern Iowa second grade students bounced along in school buses to the Cattle Congress Fair last week. No, they weren’t going for carnival rides or funnel cakes—but to  learn about agriculture. 

The ag program, known as Discovery, has been bringing elementary students to the Cattle Congress grounds for more than 36 years during its annual fall fair. It’s where a large assortment  of hands-on livestock and agriculture lessons are offered to youngsters. At the heart of it all is education. Discovery also fulfills a required Iowa educational benchmark by demonstrating a  complete life cycle—starting with the egg. 

I don’t know anywhere else in the state where classrooms of kids can visit with dairy farmers standing beside their cattle, walk through a barn filled with a variety of farm animals guided by  ag students from Hawkeye Community College, and sit in an event center featuring classrooms of volunteers offering lessons about Iowa livestock and ag business. 

For several years, a sweet perk at one station was sipping apple juice while watching Hudson farmer Louis Beck press homegrown apples. This year, a hands-on dairy lesson allowed students to make butter using Hansen’s Dairy whipping cream. Many were surprised to find how easy it was—especially when they got to spread the fresh-made butter on crackers. 

Kudos go to the Hawkeye staff and students who care for the livestock brought to the fairgrounds for the five-day run of Cattle Congress. Some animals come from the college’s farm; others are volunteered by local farmers. 

Often, student tour guides can be seen smiling at the unfiltered comments youngsters exclaim when around animals, like: 

• “What’s wrong with it?” (Answer: “That’s the sound a sheep makes.”) 

• “Hey, why did somebody set that egg by the chicken?” (Answer: “She just laid it.”) • “Where do they go to the bathroom?” (Answer: “In their stall or pen—which we clean out.”) 

Of course, many What stinks? questions surface, along with a chorus of “Ewwww!” when an animal demonstrates natural elimination. One Hawkeye student offered a refreshingly honest  response when his group gasped as a cow suddenly let loose: 

“These are living animals,” he told about 20 students from a Waverly elementary school.  

“They eat and drink like we do and have to get rid of the waste that creates. We’re caretakers, so we clean their stalls every day. All farmers work hard to take good care of their livestock.” 

I suppose the Discovery program could be described as ‘corny,’ ‘mooo-ving,’ ‘egg-stra special,’ very sheepish, ‘goat-getting,’ just ducky, bunny-hopping, and horsing-around—because it’s all  that and more.

Dairy farmer Byron Franks of St. Olaf, Iowa, said he enjoys teaching curious kids as they walk  through one of Cattle Congress’s historic dairy barns. 

“We are so separated from farming nowadays,” he said. “I like talking to students so they can see  where food comes from—and it’s not just from the grocery store.” 

At the sprawling Electric Park Ballroom, students rotate through a number of stations where volunteer teachers give lessons on Iowa farm animals—swine, dairy, poultry, and sheep. 

“You can hear their questions, answer them, and know they’re learning. They’re like little sponges,” one smiling volunteer noted, as another group of inquisitive kids walked off to another station. 

An important component of Discovery has been the volunteers who serve as guides or station teachers. But real concern has been expressed by the Black Hawk County Extension Service, which is responsible for recruiting those volunteers. 

“It’s getting harder and harder to sign up help,” said Diane Wolfe, Extension youth leader. “I  hope we can continue to get recruits for Discovery and keep this wonderful program going. I appreciate telling students how lucky we are to live in Iowa—where we’re No. 1 in pork and egg production, among the top in other areas, and produce so much food.” 

Speaking as a former Discovery tour guide, a current farmer, and a parent whose children experienced the trip to Cattle Congress, I know it would be unfortunate to see this program end after so many successful years. 

Without a doubt, volunteers will be needed for the 2026 fair—please consider being one. 

Discovery is a masterfully organized and inspiring classroom, where ag lessons stick with kids long after the bus ride home.