FARMS Leadership Program: Sacramento Valley: February 21st, 2019
Location of Field Day: Davis, CA
Field Day Host(s) and Mentors:
- Dan Sehnert – Department of Animal Science Facilities Coordinator
- Ed DePeters – UC Davis Professor and Master Advisor for Animal Science major’s
- Katharina Ullman – Director of UC Davis Student Farm
Theme: College and Career Exploration
Summary of the Day:
Dan Sehnert, the UC Davis Department of Animal Science Facilities Coordinator, welcomed the Sacramento Valley FARMS Leadership students to UC Davis. The students were then split up into 4 groups and toured the Dairy Cattle Facility, Horse Facility, Avian Hatchery, and the Meats Lab. At the dairy the students were able to assist in treating a sick cow, see new born calves, and help UC Davis student employees vaccinate. At the horse facility the students were given a tour and learned about the different ways in which horses are studied at UC Davis. Afterwards the students were given the opportunity to groom the horse’s as well as see a week old foal that was bred and born at the facility. At the hatchery student’s learned how to candle eggs and were able to see different varieties of birds at different stages of incubation. The final facility the students visited was the Meats Lab. Students were given a tour, the different processing practices used to process cattle, hogs and lambs were discussed and the students were able to sample some beef jerky and snack sticks that the Meats Lab produced.
After the facility tours we all met back at the UC Davis Cole Facility where Dr. Ed DePeter’s joined us. He discussed with the FARMS Leadership students the college experience. Dr. DePeter’s is a professor at UC Davis and went over the different classes and opportunities that both UC Davis and the Animal Science Department offer. After our visit with Dr. DePeter’s we headed to campus where the students had the opportunity to dine like a college student at Tecero Student Dining Hall.
We concluded our day at the Student Farm and Market Garden. Katharina Ullman, the Director of the Student Farm, welcomed us and gave the students a tour. The students were able to learn about the different crops and herbs grown at the Student Farm as well as see the Market Garden and learn about the CSA program that UC Davis students implement.
FARMS Leadership Student Quotes:
“I had a lot of fun learning about the background and specifics that go into horse breeding!” – Melina C.
“I really enjoyed working with the calves and getting to help vaccinate them!” – Tyler R.
Sac Valley FARMS touring the Student Farm and Market Garden at UC Davis. 
FARMS students grooming horses at the UC Davis Horse Facility. 
Touring the UC Davis Meats Lab. 
Vaccinating calves at the UC Davis Dairy. 
Micro Greens at the UC Davis Market Garden Green House. 
Dr. Ed DePeter’s discussing with the Sacramento Valley FARMS Students the UC Davis college experience!
