Oil patch bits: Students Adopt a Cow, and get a visit from Milky Way

Petroleum News

As reported by Lynden News Sept. 17, Milky Way driver Zane Smith was a local celebrity earlier this year when he visited Ridgeway Elementary School in Renton, Wash., as part of the students' participation in the Adopt A Cow program. Melanie Drenckpohl's second grade class adopted a baby calf named Jaylynne from Dan Maur Farms in Othello, Wash., which has been a farm pickup stop for Milky Way since 1999.

Melanie Drenckpohl is married to Lynden senior tax manager Josh Drenckpohl. When Josh Drenckpohl learned of the Adopt A Cow program, he knew LTI, Inc. could provide the educational dairy-milk connection. Melanie Drenckpohl says her class really enjoyed participating in the program. "Thanks for providing this opportunity for my students. It was fun and educational," she says.

"I think it's great that kids are taking an interest in agriculture and farming. I had a great time showing off the truck and even gave a demonstration on how to pick up milk from a farm," Smith says. "The 1,001 questions that I was asked was a sure sign that they are excited to learn more about my job and farming in general."

"We love to participate in events like this, especially when youth are involved," says Jordan Jansen, NW operations manager for LTI, Inc./Milky Way. "We appreciate the investment that Melanie and her school is making in the program as well as Dan Maur Farms to help teach children about dairy farming."