Hidden Gems: Young's Jersey Dairy

Young’s Jersey Dairy

Located in Yellow Springs, you’ll find family-friendly farm fun at Young’s Jersey Dairy all year round, but this Ohio gem really comes alive in the fall.

Young’s is a real working dairy farm, and the transparency with which this farm is run is admirable. Animal lovers will be pleased to see that the cows are extremely well cared for, as are the goats, pigs and other farm friends. Young’s has a free petting zoo where kids can get up close with a variety of friendly farm animals. (Every day between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m., you can watch staff milk the cows in the barn. Most days, the person doing the milking is a Young family member!) Foodies, meanwhile, will go gaga for the farm-fresh cheese curds and next-level ice cream concoctions.

But Young’s isn’t just a delightful dairy farm — it’s truly a familyfriendly destination. There’s an impressive selection of outdoor sports for families of all ages. “Udders & Pudders” features batting cages with hardball and softball machines, two miniature golf courses and a natural grass driving range.

In addition to sports, there are plenty of fall festival favorites open year-round at Young’s: the Moovers & Shakers barrel ride runs daily and is a huge hit with kids of all ages; meanwhile the “Kiddie Corral” area features tiny tractors and tunnels, and is udderly delightful for toddlers. And if your kids have a need for speed, Cowvin’s Fast Slide is a must!

Young’s hosts events throughout the year, and the farm’s “Pick Your Own Pumpkin” days and Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival are beloved favorites. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the Fall Festival is cancelled; however, this beloved farm is keeping the fall fun alive with “haunted” hayrides, pumpkineverything and plenty of corn maze magic.

Young’s Dairy is one of Ohio’s most delightful destinations, and absolutely worth a trip. There’s always something fun happening at Young’s, and fall is the best time to explore this family-friendly farm.

6880 Spring field Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs

youngsdairy.com

T H E S C O O P O N

F I V E I M P O R T A N T F A C T S T H A T P R I V A T E S C H O O L S WANT PARENTS TO KNOW.

WORDS BY STEFFY MCCOURT

The 2020 pandemic has led to virtual learning at home for many children. Because of this, parents, more than ever before, have had a front-row seat to their children’s learning experience. Some parents have begun to question whether public education was the best education for their children.

If you are considering sending your child to private school, here are five facts that private schools want parents to know. 1.

The student-to-teacher ratio in private schools is oftentimes half of what public schools can offer. Smaller class size means more oneon-one interaction with students and more meaningful planning time for educators.

A National Education Association policy brief published in 2008 stated, “The effect of smaller classes on student achievement extends far beyond the early grades. Follow-up studies… show higher achievement levels in reading, language, math, science and social studies. Additionally, students in smaller classes showed more positive behaviors towards engagement and learning than did the students in larger classes.”

2.

The idea of paying for an education can dissuade parents from even looking into private education. However, most private schools offer financial aid, which is driven by parental income.

“We are committed to providing access to as many families as possible,” says Karla DeJean, writer and project manager at The Seven Hills School in Cincinnati. “Our need-based financial assistance program allows families to qualify for reduced tuition based on their unique financial circumstances. Instead of ‘receiving financial aid,’ those families who qualify will pay a reduced tuition amount based on their individual circumstances.”

3.

Due to smaller class sizes, and a low student-teacher ratio, private schools can prioritize teaching through relationships. This means that students play the role of co-learner alongside their teacher.

“The sense of community is one of the things I am most proud of,” says Lisa Larocca, marketing director for St. Helen Catholic School in Dayton. “This community is made up of relationships between teachers with students but also with parents and guardians. These relationships are so important in an educational setting. The strength of these relationship is evident by the number of students who want to return to visit their favorite teacher. It really helps put our kids on a successful path to their high school career and beyond.”

Charlotte Berwanger, a 1990 graduate of St. Helen School, says of her teachers: “There are so many memories. There is something from every grade. Each teacher left a lasting memory for me in a positive way.”

4.

A huge selling feature for many parents is the fact that their child will be able to try out for and participate in a variety of sports and extracurricular activities.

“With our no-cut policy and broad range of sports to choose from, if students want to compete, they join a team!” Dejean says. “Our students learn early on what it means to be students and athletes, and how to be responsible balancing the two.”

Larocca emphasizes the importance of sports and extracurricular activities in a well-rounded student. “Extra-curricular activities, including sports, play a vital role in a child's education,” she says. “They allow for important social and physical development.”

5.

Because of diversity initiatives in the 1980s and 1990s, private schools proactively search for diverse and qualified candidates. They work with families, providing financial aid when needed, to create a student population that enhances the learning landscape.

There are many plusses about choosing a private school, and you can learn more about the individual school you’re considering by scheduling a tour, whether in-person or virtual. Touring a school will allow you to experience it better than just reading about it online, and will answer a lot of the questions you may have. Private schools are excited to show parents and students all of the great opportunities they have to offer!