Animal Science lab offers experiential learning with live sheep

By Jill Kay

It's not every day you see sheep on campus, not to mention colorful sheep. Gena Moore, director and instructor of Agricultural Food Systems, brought her pet hair sheep Jingle Bells, Tinkerbell and Grogu to campus Monday afternoon, and students enrolled in Animal Science 203 got their hands dirty while learning about the anatomy and physiology of the animals.

In the high-traffic area between the amphitheater and Austin Auditorium, the sheep lazily munched on grass while Dr. Tracy Davis, visiting assistant professor of biology, explained to students how to determine the age of a sheep by its teeth.

Students were gun-shy at first, but with a little encouragement they started looking inside the animals' mouths. The students correctly guessed the ages of each sheep.

Students, faculty and staff couldn't help but stop and pet the sheep as they were walking to and from classes and meetings. Eli Bowser, one of Wingate's Julia's Learning students, decided the occasion called for the song Old McDonald Had a Farm, which he happily sang to the sheep.

The class teaches students about livestock, how to care for the animals, animal production and so forth. Students who are pre-veterinary, are part of the Ag Food Systems program or just want a fun lab experience typically enroll in the class.

"I've always worked on farms and think it's important to educate people about animal care and their wellbeing," Davis said. "It's amazing how many people don't know where their food comes from. In order to have a good product, you have to have proper care of the animals."

As the students warmed up to the sheep, it was time to learn about the muscle structure of the animals. Davis handed out bowls of nontoxic, washable paint for students to use to denote each muscle section of the body.

"I've had animals since I was a kid, and I thought this class would be fun to learn how to better take care of them," said Amanda Wolfe, a junior majoring in biology. "I've never painted a sheep before, but it's interesting and fun."

As part of the class, the students have traveled to several farms in the area, including Mills Bottoms Farm, owned by Wingate student Gracie Stinson. The students learn how farms operate and how to properly care for the animals, and they even sometimes volunteer.

Moore has cultivated relationships and partnerships with local farmers over the past 20 years. The next farm visit will be to the White Rock dairy farm in Peachland, N.C.

Oct. 7, 2024

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