Beef beyond
the classroom
Virtual farm tours offer K-12 students a unique opportunity to explore real farms and ranches from the classroom, bringing agriculture to life through immersive, firsthand experiences. These tours help students understand where their food comes from, meet the people who raise cattle, and connect classroom lessons to real-world food systems.
Featured Series for Grades 8-12:
Beef: Processing to Plate
This three-part virtual learning series helps students understand how beef moves from processing to preparation. Through guided virtual experiences, students will learn about the steps involved in processing beef, basic meat science concepts, and how beef is prepared in the kitchen.
Each weekly live session is 45 minutes in length and will be recorded.
Day 2: The Meat Science Behind Beef
March 6th, 2026 | 10 am Pacific
This session introduces students to the science behind beef in an approachable way. Students will learn why beef looks the way it does, how beef is graded, and how muscles are used to create different cuts. The session focuses on helping students understand why cuts vary and how these differences connect to quality and everyday meals.
Day 3: Beef in the Kitchen
March 13th, 2026 | 10 am Pacific
This session brings beef into the kitchen and focuses on practical cooking skills students can use at home or in the classroom. Students will learn how different approaches to cooking and seasoning influence flavor and results. A chef will demonstrate simple beef cooking techniques and prepare a recipe while walking through key steps and considerations.
Day 1: Inside a Beef Packing Plant
February 27th, 2026
Join us on a guided virtual tour of a beef processing plant. Students will learn about the steps involved in processing beef and the practices used to support food safety and consistency. The focus is on helping students understand how beef moves through the facility and the care taken at every step.
Elementary School Students
Beef Begins Here
Watch our interactive, fun, and educational livestream recording to connect students with where their food comes from while reinforcing science and environmental learning.
Then, extend the learning experience with a MyPlate activity sheet that ties in ranching, nutrition, and conservation with fun, hands-on activities!
The Story of Beef – From Ranch to Plate
Join Ty and Tripp, two California ranch kids, as they guide you on a fun journey from pasture to plate. Learn how beef is raised and cared for right here in California and meet the people who help bring it from the ranch to your school lunch tray and dinner table.
This video is designed for elementary-age students and pairs perfectly with The Beef Story activity book and Beef Up My Plate activity sheet. It’s a great way to explore where food comes from, whether in the classroom or at home.
Middle & High School Students
The Story of Beef – From Ranch to Plate
Take a closer look at California’s beef story and see how ranchers, veterinarians, and processors all play a role in bringing beef to your plate. This video highlights the care, science, and commitment behind beef production across the state.
Designed for middle and high school students, it can be used on its own or alongside our Beef Reader series or Pasture to Plate lesson plan. It’s a great resource for learning about agriculture, food systems, and nutrition in California.
Interested in organizing your own farm tour?
This step-by-step guide makes it easy to plan and host a farm tour for students, school staff, or your community. The turnkey toolkit includes planning timelines, checklists, safety tips, and activity ideas to create an engaging and educational experience on the farm. Use it to connect people with agriculture in a fun and memorable way, from seeing crops and animals up close to learning how food gets from the farm to the table.
