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As a way to explore sustainability in a manner that dealt with real-world operations management, the College of Business and Technology Department (CBT) took NEIU students to Fair Oaks Farm in Fair Oaks, Indiana in early November for an educational cow and pig tour. Attendees paid a $20 fee in advance, which covered transportation, lunch, and the tour itself.
7:30 AM. The bus departed from NEIU’s main campus to make the two-hour journey to Fair Oaks Farms. Students were given an introductory packet which included a 30-question dairy and pig farm quiz. While the quiz was not mandatory for attendees, it tested their knowledge on farm life and kept them occupied during the bus ride.
9:30 AM. The bus arrived at Fair Oaks Farms as attendees viewed a PowerPoint presentation on what to expect on the cow and pig tours as well as facts about daily operations at the farm.
10:30 AM. After some time to explore what Fair Oaks Farms had to offer, students boarded a cow-themed bus en route to the namesake tour. Students were able to see the cows up close during the ride.
The cow tour featured 50 cows on a carousel for daily milking. In total, there are 1000 cows in 11 barns, which amounts to 11,000 cows. 250,000 gallons of milk are produced daily, which is enough to fill 40 large trailers. Milk is not processed at Fair Oaks Farms, but rather taken in tank trucks for processing.
12 PM. After the cow tour, students made their way to the Cowfé (yes: cow café) for lunch. Students had many food options at their disposal, ranging from grilled cheeses to chicken quesadillas. Salads and wraps were also included as vegetarian options. The dishes are created from ingredients grown and harvested at Fair Oaks Farms as well as other farms nearby. Students also had the chance to explore the gift shop for souvenirs.
1:15 PM. Students boarded the cow-themed bus en route to the pig tour.
Attendees were treated to a tour featuring pigs at various stages of life, including newborns, piglets, and pigs who were due to give birth in the coming days. Fair Oaks Farms is designed with temperature controls and ventilation to combat smell. Breeding of the pigs is a managed program with genetics selected for desirable animal traits. According to the PowerPoint, the pigs are sold through production contracts as pigs who are similar in weight are ideal to make the processing more consistent and easier.
3:15 PM. After some additional time to explore and buy items from the gift shop, students boarded the bus back to NEIU’s main campus, concluding the educational tour.
Further information about Fair Oaks Farms can be found on their website.
The CBT Department sponsors other campus events throughout the year. Upcoming is the International Business Conference (IBC), which will be held on March 3, 2025 with more details to follow. The event will feature several industry experts, opportunities to network, and a learning experience as to how supply chain is integrated into everyday life.
Further information about the CBT department can be found on NEIU’s website.
