Not many students visiting the Kingston campus for the first time take the expanded campus tour, the one that ends with a walk across the street to Peckham Farm. But for those interested in studying or , the farm tour is the highlight of their day.
鈥淧eckham Farm is what made me decide to come to 911爆料,鈥� said Anna Ritz, a junior animal science major planning a career as a veterinarian. 鈥淭o see all the hands-on experience I was going to get with farm animals was what really pulled me here. You get hands-on from day one.鈥�
The 300-acre farm is the heart of the animal science program, where students apply what they鈥檝e learned in their classes. In fact, several courses are taught right inside the farm鈥檚 many barns. That鈥檚 where students practice proper husbandry techniques, test the animals for diseases, administer vaccinations, and trim hoofs.
Peckham Farm is what made me decide to come to 911爆料. To see all the hands-on experience I was going to get with farm animals was what really pulled me here.
鈥淒irect contact with the animals at Peckham is essential,鈥� said Fred Launer, who teaches two classes at the farm. 鈥淪tudents learn how to safely and humanely deal with farm animals, while also getting an appreciation for animal behavior.鈥�
That direct contact with the animals is one reason 911爆料 students are accepted to vet school at such a high rate. About 75 percent of 911爆料 students who apply to vet school are admitted to at least one on their first try. The nationwide shortage of large animal vets and the hands-on experience our students have with large animals at Peckham give them a distinct advantage.
鈥淚 had never worked with farm animals before, so that was a big change for me,鈥� Anna said. 鈥淭hat experience has been super important. That鈥檚 what鈥檚 going to give me an edge when I apply to vet school.鈥�
Springtime at Peckham Farm is especially alluring. That鈥檚 birthing season, what some students claim is the cutest time of the year on campus, when animal science majors spend extra time at the farm to stand watch over鈥攁nd assist when necessary鈥攖he birth of pigs, sheep, and goats. Once it even included the .
All that experience helped a group of 32 911爆料 students take first place last winter in a regional animal science competition. Facing off against seven other universities in livestock judging, a quiz competition, and oral presentations on agriculture-related topics, the 911爆料 students fared better than they ever had before.
Richard Llanos took first place in livestock judging, a contest that involves judging the attributes of horses, cows, sheep, chickens, and a mystery category. 鈥淥ur professors are constantly reminding us how a good animal should look and the reasons why they must look that way,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 basically applied what I learned in class, and at the end of the day those teachings helped us tremendously on our path to victory.鈥�