Pioneer Family – On Van Hoosen Farm

Follow the story of a family of women who took over their family farm and see accompanying educational resources.

Subject
Science, Social Studies
Category
Video, PBS Learning Media, Teacher Resource

Pioneer Family – On Van Hoosen Farm

Air Dates: Monday, March 8, 2021 at 5:00am; Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 3:00am, 7:00pm, 11:00pm.
Watch online: DPTV Documentaries | Pioneer Family on Van Hoosen Farm | DPTV

This is the story about four strong and determined women who took over all the responsibilities of running the family farm after the men of the family died. They defied the prejudices of their time by seeking and becoming pioneers in professions held by men. Grandmother Sarah Taylor and mother Alice Van Hoosen Jones leased their land for farming purposes. Bertha Van Hoosen, the aunt, became the first woman in Michigan to become a medical doctor. Sarah Van Hoosen Jones, the granddaughter, became highly educated in agricultural studies and became a master farmer. She was the first woman to receive a PHD in animal genetics. She bred her own cows which were considered extraordinary and the Van Hoosen farm became a leading producer of milk. Sarah Van Hoosen Jones ran the farm under scientific management. She led experiments to improve the taste of milk by using different types of feed stored in newly introduced silos. She also worked to improve the safety measures in the production of milk which led to certification or bottling milk on site.

Curricular resources related to this documentary:

Innovative Female Farmers — America’s Heartland

Watch online: PBS LearningMedia
Subject and grade level: Social Studies, Economics, families and communities (Grades 9-12)

Hedgebrook Farm is proudly owned and operated by Kitty Nicholas, her two daughters, and her mother. Discover how they’ve pursued niche markets such as opening an inn on their land and “renting” cows to neighbors to keep the farm innovative.

Scientist Profile: Dairy Scientist

Watch online: Scientist Profile: Dairy Scientist | PBS LearningMedia
Subject and grade level: Science (Grades 4-6)

Did you know that making ice cream is a science? That’s Dairy Scientist Phillip Tong’s specialty. As a researcher at California Polytechnic State University, it’s his job to find ways to improve the process for making ice cream, and to come up with tasty new flavor ideas. He studies other dairy products too, like cheese and milk. What’s his favorite ice cream flavor? Espresso! This video is available in both English and Spanish audio with corresponding closed captions.

Cheese: Not the Same Mold Story

Watch online: Cheese: Not the Same Mold Story | PBS LearningMedia
Subject and grade level: Science (Grades 6-8)

Science Friday investigates the secret life of cheese. We visited Hendricks Farms and Dairy in Telford, PA, home to award-winning cheese-maker Trent Hendricks. He walks us through how he makes a hybrid cheese he calls cheddar blue.

Cheesy Chemistry

Watch online: Cheesy Chemistry | PBS LearningMedia
Subject and grade level: Science (Grades 6-8)

Students will learn how to make a simple cheese using kitchen utensils and household ingredients in this lesson based on the Science Friday video “Cheese: Not the Same Mold Story.”