On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, thirty students from the Eagle Ridge New Tech High School Agriculture Science Program participated in a hands-on educational field trip to S & R Sheep Ranch and Blessed Hope Goat Dairy.
At S & R Sheep Ranch, students learned about the lambing process and gained practical experience with livestock management. Under the guidance of Peggy Smith, one of the owner/operators, students practiced vaccinating, banding, feeding, weighing, and recording animal data. Students also received instruction on basic sheep care and participated in a bonus lesson on horse care led by Breanna Signes.
The group then visited Blessed Hope Goat Dairy, where Richard DeJong provided a tour of the dairy operation. Students observed goats being milked and learned about the milking process and equipment. They also explored goat housing practices, studied different dairy goat breeds, and discussed which breeds are best suited for the local area. In addition, students learned about goat breeding and the kidding process.
Students reflected positively on the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting. Senior Braydon Behurst shared, “It was fun to work with the animals and apply what we’ve learned in class to real situations. Opportunities like this are why I love being an Eagle Ridge student, and I’m very happy I joined FFA.”
Freshman Aiyanna also highlighted the hands-on experience, stating, “I thought feeding the ewes and lambs was fun, and I really liked getting to pet the goats. I learned how to give vaccinations and how the milking equipment works. It was one of the best field trips I’ve been on.”
This field trip provided valuable experiential learning, reinforced classroom instruction, and strengthened students’ understanding of animal agriculture while showcasing the benefits of participation in agricultural education and FFA.