Milking the Cow: Bridging Theory and Practice in Food Systems (And Why It’s Not as Hard as It Seems)

So, I milked a cow!!! Something that was never in my bucket list (pun intended) because in my mind, I’d pictured the whole process as some intricate art—a delicate balance between not offending the cow and not making a fool of myself. I’d watched a few videos on social media with people trying to milk getting kicked, bucket and all, so I had visions of tiny milk geysers flying every which way while I struggled to get the rhythm right and everyone around me bursting in laughter. Little did I know, the experience would be far more enlightening than I imagined!

As I approached the cow, Daisy (let’s call her that, though she probably had a name like *#482*), I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. She was a gentle, massive creature, and I could feel her looking at me with what I swear was mild judgment, so I did everything possible not to look her in the eye. I took a deep breath and crouched, one bucket at my feet and a slight tremor in my hand. I reached out cautiously, as if she might have second thoughts about me being there and you know…the kick, but to my relief, she didn’t flinch. I grasped the teat as I’d seen the experts do, gave it a tug, and… a stream of milk went straight into the bucket. I squealed! Not at all complicated! I quickly found a rhythm, and before I knew it, I was milking a cow as if I’d done it all my life.

Reflecting on this experience, it hit me just how much it exemplified the power of experiential learning or Real Life Learning Labs (RLLL)as we have dubbed it in the INSSPIRE project—how hands-on practice can really demystify things that seem intimidating in theory. In food systems and climate education, especially, we’re often dealing with complex systems that can feel overwhelming when you’re stuck in books and diagrams. But by engaging directly with the elements of these systems—whether milking a cow, planting a garden, or managing a compost pile—we shift from being passive recipients of information to active participants. That small moment of “I can actually do this” has an impact that sticks, far more than a lecture slide ever could.

Experiential learning aka RLLL, especially in food systems and climate change, isn’t just about the action itself; it’s about understanding the interconnectedness of the work. Milking that cow, I was reminded of the labour that goes into producing dairy, the role of livestock in agricultural ecosystems, and, yes, the methane emissions that affect our climate. When students are given these hands-on opportunities, they gain insights that extend beyond the immediate task—they start to connect dots across food production, ecosystem impact, and even policy implications. They begin to see the food system as a living web, not just a set of abstract concepts. 

And honestly, experiential learning is often more fun than reading about these things. It’s also more humbling. When you’re in the field, sometimes covered in dirt or (ahem) milk, you’re reminded that there’s always something to learn, often from people, plants and animals with different perspectives—be it a farmer or Daisy the cow. So, my message to students out there is this: “get out there and experience things. Don’t be afraid of the cow, figuratively or literally. Because sometimes, the only way to really grasp complex systems and concepts is by getting your hands a little messy”.

So, here’s to more hands-on learning, more unexpected revelations, and a little less fear of the cow. You never know what you might learn in the process.