The students are engaged in all aspects of the diversified farm, including milking and caring for dairy cattle, forage crop production, gardening, other livestock care, sugaring and fire wood processing. The visual centerpiece of the farm is the 25 cow dairy herd. The cows are milked and cared for twice a day, every day by student labor. Barn heads apply for the position, having previously distinguished themselves in a previous term of barn duty. The barn head serves as the link between the farm manager and the work crews.
Students working in the dairy barn learn how to milk cows, feed cows, and calves.
All these animals are raised to contribute to the Putney School food supply. They also assist with basic veterinarian work. Students gain a basic understanding of animal husbandry as they learn these tasks. In addition to taking their turns at morning or afternoon barn chores and possibly choosing the farm afternoon activity, students are encouraged to become more involved with the farm through independent or project week studies. These studies include dairy cattle nutrition and health, dairy cattle genetics, fitting and showmanship, basic sugar lot management, planting trials and other agriculturally related topics.