Experiencing Gouda - Starts with the Cows

Five classes of 7^th graders from Nooksack Valley Middle School joined Whatcom CD, Appel Farms, and Whatcom Family Farmers for a field trip to Appel Farms!

“Thank you for letting us go on the farm to see how it works, for letting us touch the cows, and sample the cheese (it was so good). I really liked touching the baby cows and sampling the cheese.” – 7th Grade Student Reflection

There is something incredibly special about a learning experience that engages all senses. Between March 30^th and April 2^nd five classes of 7^th graders were able to taste cubes of gouda after touching, feeling, seeing, and smelling how they were made. The students met the cows, walked with the farmer, tested the local water, rode on a tractor, and watched a cheese processing plant in action. This kind of immersive experience is powerful in connecting the landscape we live in and the food we eat, and why Whatcom CD is a proud partner in the Snow to Sea Program.

“I really enjoyed seeing all the cows and riding the wagon. One thing I will remember is seeing how the cheese was made and testing the water in the creek.” – 7th Grade Student Reflection

Snow to Sea is a three-year outdoor learning journey that follows the path of water across the Nooksack watershed—from the snowy headwaters of Mount Baker to the saltwater of the Salish Sea. Along the way, every Nooksack Valley Middle School student explores the landscapes that sustain our community—mountains, forests, farms, lakes, creeks, and bays—through hands-on field experiences led by seven community partners in collaboration with the Nooksack Valley School District.

“Thank you so much for teaching us about all different kinds of water and how that effects life.” – 7th Grade Student Reflection

Students were able to experience the entire process from cow to cheese, and how it all connects to water!

Whatcom CD’s role is to introduce the concept of a watershed to 6^th graders using the Whatcom Explorer Mobile Watershed and take 7^th graders on a field trip to a local farm. In 2026, we partnered with Appel Farms and Whatcom Family Farmers. The students toured the dairy and cheese plant, meeting the cows, and learning about all the logistics and jobs that weave together on a farm. Next, they took a tractor ride down to a state-of-the-art flood gate that helps salmon and farms. Lastly, they tested the water quality of the local creek running through the dairy. Farms are an essential part of our watershed, providing food to communities while stewarding large areas of streams. The hope is that each 7^th grader walks away with a better understanding of how their food comes to their plates and how growing that food interacts with the larger landscape, environment, and community.

“Thank you for teaching me about farms, cows, and measuring water. I really liked petting the baby cows! I’ll always remember being on the farm. I liked the cheese.” – 7th Grade Student Reflection

Thank you to Rich Appel and Appel Farms for sharing their farm with these students. Thank you Whatcom Family Farmers for sharing your time and agricultural teaching expertise. Thank you to the Whatcom Coalition of Environmental Education for leading the Snow to Sea Program. Thank you to Nooksack Valley School District for fostering experiential learning opportunities for your students.

“I had lots of fun and learned many new things about farms, cows, water and more!” – 7th Grade Student Reflection