Southwest Dairy Museum & Mobile Dairy Classroom
By Southwest Dairy Farmers
Last reviewed: December 2025
Complete guide to Southwest Dairy Museum and Mobile Dairy Classroom programs. Learn how these educational initiatives bring dairy farm experiences to...
Quick Snapshot
Southwest Dairy Farmers operates the Southwest Dairy Museum and 11 Mobile Dairy Classrooms that bring the dairy farm experience to 400,000+ students annually across six states, all funded by dairy farmer checkoff contributions.
Overview
Southwest Dairy Farmers is a producer-funded organization serving dairy farmers in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Arizona. Through checkoff contributions, the organization operates one of the most comprehensive dairy education programs in the nation.
The Southwest Dairy Museum in Sulphur Springs, Texas, features 10,000 square feet of exhibits including historical vignettes of dairy farm life before electricity, antique equipment, and interactive displays. The five-story silo houses a conference room, and the on-site ice cream shop serves old-fashioned treats.
The Mobile Dairy Classroom program is the crown jewel—11 specially equipped trucks and trailers travel to school districts throughout the region, bringing live cows and milking demonstrations directly to students. Each visit includes interactive presentations about dairy farming, nutrition, and the journey from farm to table.
Ideal Users
Age Range: Elementary through middle school (primary Mobile Dairy Classroom audience); all ages for museum
Audience: Students, teachers, families, dairy enthusiasts, history buffs
Key Roles: Classroom teachers, school administrators, field trip coordinators, community event organizers
Geographic Focus: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Arizona
Key Features
Mobile Dairy Classroom Fleet
11 trucks/trailers equipped with milking machines and live cows that travel to schools throughout six states
10,000 Square Foot Museum
Historical vignettes, antique equipment, champion cow displays, and interactive exhibits
Live Cow Milking Demonstrations
Hands-on experience showing how cows are milked and milk is processed
Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Shop
On-site treats featuring dairy products in a nostalgic setting
Docent-Led Tours
Guided educational experiences by trained museum staff
Advanced Capabilities
School Curriculum Integration
Programs aligned with state educational standards for science and agriculture
Teacher Resources
Lesson plans, activity guides, and educational materials for classroom follow-up
Community Event Appearances
Mobile Dairy Classroom available for fairs, festivals, and community gatherings
Virtual Options
Online resources and videos for schools unable to host in-person visits
Museum Highlights
Exhibits
| Exhibit | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Historical Vignettes | Life on dairy farms before electricity |
| Antique Equipment | Milk stools, butter churns, cow blankets |
| Champion Cow Gallery | Photos spanning nine decades |
| Dog-Powered Butter Churn | Unusual historical artifact |
| Interactive Displays | Hands-on learning stations |
Mascots
Amenities
Pricing
Model: Free to Schools (Checkoff-Funded)
School Programs
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---------|------|-------|
| Mobile Dairy Classroom Visit | Free | 30-45 minute presentations |
| Museum Field Trip | Free | Guided tours by appointment |
| Teacher Resources | Free | Lesson plans and materials |
Museum Visitors
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|------|------|-------|
| Museum Admission | Free | Open Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm |
| Guided Tours | Free | By appointment for groups |
| Ice Cream Shop | $3-5 | On-site treats |
How It's Funded
Southwest Dairy Museum and Mobile Dairy Classroom programs are entirely funded by dairy farmer checkoff contributions—the $0.15/cwt assessment on all milk marketed. This means no cost to schools or families.
Annual Impact
| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Students Reached | 400,000+ annually |
| Mobile Classrooms | 11 in operation |
| States Served | 6 (TX, NM, OK, KS, CO, AZ) |
| Museum Visitors | Thousands annually |
Contact: info@southwestdairyfarmers.com | (903) 439-6455
Getting Started
Timeline: Schools can request Mobile Dairy Classroom visits for the following school year; museum visits can be scheduled year-round
To Schedule Mobile Dairy Classroom:
To Visit the Museum:
Training & Support
Resources: Classroom lesson plans, activity guides, videos, educational posters
Support Channels: Program coordinators, museum docents, Southwest Dairy Farmers staff
Community: Connected to broader dairy promotion programs and farm tour networks
Evaluation Questions
Recommended Reading
Recommended Viewing
Key Features
- Mobile Dairy Classroom School Visits: 45-minute assembly-style programs at schools featuring live dairy cattle. Professional educators demonstrate milking, discuss nutrition, and answer questions. 1,200+ school visits annually reaching 500,000+ students.
- Southwest Dairy Museum Interactive Exhibits: Located in Sulphur Springs, TX. Features vintage dairy equipment, interactive displays, butter-making activities, and cow-milking demonstrations. Group tours available with advance booking.
- Dairy Farm Tour Program: Connects schools and groups with working dairy farms for firsthand experience. See modern dairy technology, animal care practices, and milk production. Pre-arranged tours with educational focus.
- Teacher Professional Development: Workshops providing curriculum resources, lesson plans, and hands-on training. Agricultural literacy credits for educators. Classroom materials and activity kits provided.
- Community Events & Fair Presence: Mobile classroom and educational booths at state fairs, county fairs, and community events. Butter-making demonstrations, dairy trivia, and sample distribution.
- Educational Video & Digital Content: YouTube channel with virtual farm tours, nutrition information, and classroom resources. Social media engagement extending reach beyond in-person programs.
Advanced Features
- Virtual Dairy Farm Tours: Live and recorded video tours of working dairy farms. Classroom-friendly format with Q&A opportunities. Reaches schools beyond mobile classroom service area.
- Ag Literacy Curriculum Resources: Downloadable lesson plans aligned with state education standards. STEM integration connecting dairy to science, technology, math. Free teacher resources.
- Dairy Discovery Zone: Interactive traveling exhibit for major events. Includes milking simulators, nutrition games, and farm technology displays. High-impact engagement for large audiences.
- High School Agricultural Education Partnership: Collaboration with FFA chapters and agricultural education programs. Guest speakers, career resources, and program support for advanced students.
- Dairy Promotion Events: June Dairy Month activities, World School Milk Day celebrations, and special campaigns promoting dairy nutrition. Community engagement beyond schools.
- Research & Consumer Education: Checkoff-funded consumer research, nutrition education campaigns, and response to dairy misinformation. Science-based messaging about modern dairy practices.
Ideal For
Farm Types: Not applicable - education program
Competitive Advantages
What sets Southwest Dairy Museum & Mobile Dairy Classroom apart from alternatives:
- Largest Mobile Dairy Classroom program in the Southwest
- Over 500,000 students reached annually
- Live dairy cattle provide memorable hands-on experience
- Professional educators with agricultural backgrounds
- Free programming for schools (checkoff-funded)
- Physical museum location for extended learning
- Farm tour connections to working dairy operations
- Teacher resources aligned with state standards
- Regional focus on Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma
- Year-round programming including summer events
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for Southwest Dairy Museum & Mobile Dairy Classroom:
Mobile Dairy Classroom visits are FREE for schools within the service area, funded by dairy farmer checkoff contributions. Museum admission is low-cost. Teacher resources are free.
Pricing Model: Free school programs (checkoff-funded), nominal museum admission
All programming funded by dairy farmer checkoff contributions. No cost to participating schools within service area.
Pros & Considerations
- Dairy heritage education
- Mobile classroom outreach
- Museum exhibits
- Consumer education
- Regional dairy promotion
- Southwest regional focus
- Limited to education
- Scheduling availability
- Program capacity
Implementation & Setup
How to implement Southwest Dairy Museum & Mobile Dairy Classroom on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Schools can request visits for the following school year; museum visits can be scheduled year-round
Training & Support
Training and support options available for Southwest Dairy Museum & Mobile Dairy Classroom:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating Southwest Dairy Museum & Mobile Dairy Classroom:
- Is the Mobile Dairy Classroom available in my state?
- How far in advance should I book a school visit?
- What space requirements are needed for the mobile unit?
- Can the program visit multiple grades in one day?
- Are there virtual options if in-person isn't possible?