Hailey Carr/Chinook

Anne Wood shows lamb to children

By Hailey Carr

As students and professors returned from winter break, the Casper College Agriculture Pavilion quickly became a hub of activity. In January, the department welcomed new piglets and lambs, giving students a valuable hands-on learning experience. Whether they come from agricultural backgrounds or are just starting to explore the field, students gain practical skills in livestock care, management, and industry practices.

“This year, we had work-study students return over winter break to help with farrowing, lambing, and the daily care of sows, piglets, ewes, and lambs,” explained Agriculture Instructor Anne Wood. 

The hands-on aspect of the program allows students to apply what they learn in class to real-world situations, building confidence and competence in animal care. 

“Everything we do in class mirrors real-world livestock operations,” Wood added. “Many students have experience with livestock while others are learning for the first time. We ensure they develop the best practices to build their skill set for the future.”

A key part of the program is not only working with the animals but also understanding their nutritional needs and overall health. Each animal’s diet is carefully managed to support growth and development. 

“We supplement the animals with lick tubs, which contain essential minerals for growth and development,” Wood said. “Knowing the ewes were pregnant, they were on corn feed, and the lambs start a grain feed—or ‘creep feed’ as we call it—when they are about one to two weeks old. This helps supplement the mother, especially if she has twins, so none of the lambs lose nutrition during development.” 

Such real-world practices help students understand the importance of nutrition in livestock management and give them a deeper appreciation for the work that goes into raising healthy animals.

For students like Klacie Groene, a work-study participant, the opportunity to work with livestock firsthand is one of the most valuable aspects of the program. 

“It gives me hands-on experience not only in classes but also in industries I’m not really a part of, like the swine and lamb industries,” she said. 

Students aren’t just feeding and caring for the animals—they also take part in a variety of hands-on learning experiences that reinforce their classroom knowledge. 

“Students get to experience things like ear notching and castrating piglets, lamb harvest labs, yield and quality grade evaluations, and ultrasounding sheep,” said Agriculture Instructor Heath Hornecker. With a grin, he added, “We also offer an artificial insemination class, which is more of a ‘hands-in’ rather than a hands-on experience.”

Beyond learning about livestock care, CC agriculture students recently had the opportunity to share their knowledge with a younger audience. Children from the Early Childhood Learning Center on campus visited the pavilion where they got to see the animals up close, hold baby piglets, pet newborn lambs, and learn about their care. 

Hailey Carr/Chinook

Child from ECLC pets pig

“The goal was to give the kids a great experience with animals firsthand. Some of the daycare kids had never seen livestock outside of a storybook,” Wood said. 

Wood said the visit wasn’t just exciting for the children—it was eye-opening for the college students as well. 

“I think our students realized how many kids, even in their own community, haven’t had these experiences,” she continued. “Wyoming is a rural state, and we’re strong advocates for agriculture, but even here, there are kids who don’t know what’s in their own backyard.”

Seeing the excitement on the children’s faces as they interacted with the animals was a highlight for many students and instructors. Wood recalled hearing the kids exclaim, “I’m going to name this sheep Cotton Candy!” and “This one feels like my blankie!” Plans are already in place for the ECLC students to return in the spring so they can see how much the animals have grown and learn more about their development. Not only is this a fun and educational experience for the children, but it also helps agriculture students practice explaining livestock management to others—a valuable skill in agricultural education and outreach.

The CC agriculture program provides students with opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom. By caring for livestock, engaging in hands-on learning experiences, and connecting with the community, students gain real-world skills that prepare them for careers in the industry. Instructors ensure students take on meaningful responsibilities, from feeding and monitoring animal health to managing the facilities and hosting events. Agriculture students at CC work as a team, supporting each other as they learn and grow in their field. Their dedication and passion for agriculture make the program truly stand out, offering experiences that prepare them for success in an ever-evolving industry.