Working with livestock can be exciting and challenging—even intimidating for those who didn’t grow up on a farm. But even if you grew up in the city and have never interacted with large animals you can still learn to work with livestock. How? By joining Block & Bridle, a student organization at Cornell that gives students from all majors the chance to gain educational, hands-on interaction with livestock of all kinds.
Block & Bridle has existed since 1916, but in 2023 members revised the format of the organization from competition-based to educational. “We want it to be a really inclusive environment where there are people of all backgrounds being able to learn different things,” said Adyson Miller, Block & Bridle president.
In the past, Block & Bridle focused primarily on competition and livestock shows where members handled and groomed livestock, they also participated in livestock judging, public speaking, presentations, and evaluations. The latest transition to a more hands-on, educational approach encourages an environment where students from all departments can learn what it means to care for animals, said Miller. A typical Block & Bridle meeting now focuses on clinics, mini-lectures and hands-on demonstrations.
“We want it to be a really inclusive environment where there are people of all backgrounds being able to learn different things.”
– Adyson Miller
The organization also discusses industry technology that requires livestock knowledge and care. “We go over what happens on the solar panel farms, the rotations that we do, the research that's going on there, why sheep are better fitted for solar panel farms, and just how the whole process goes throughout the summer,” said Miller. Participating in these meetings enables members within the field interest to envision what a future career might look like. It fosters a great environment to ask questions, get involved and show up when you can.
