Inspiring Stories at Bowers: Maddie
For high school graduate Maddie Urban, an education at Bowers School Farm changed the course of her life. As a Bloomfield Hills Schools student, she often visited Bowers Farm on elementary school field trips. As a high school student, she learned about the Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources program at Bowers School Farm and began taking the animal science course.
Maddie grew up with a love for animals, thanks in part to her pet dogs and cats, so the Bowers Farm program seemed a natural fit for her. Throughout her high school career, she attended Bloomfield Hills High School and spent several days per week at Bowers studying animal science and learning more about her love of horses as an equestrian.
“It was a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Maddie said of her Bowers Farm experience. “It’s one of the best things I’ve done in my life.”
Throughout her time at Bowers Farm, Maddie raised broiler chickens, inseminated cows, castrated animals, watched live births, shadowed vets and more. “At other high schools, they don’t have courses like this,” she said. “It’s great for lovers of nature and animals. It’s such a unique experience, but it’s not for the faint of heart.” In particular, one memorable experience occurred when she raised and trained a lamb, which she eventually showed at the Oakland County Fair. “I developed my own personal connections with the animals,” Maddie said. “I grew right along with them.”
As a student with anxiety, who prefers hands-on learning, the Bowers School Farm experience contributed to Maddie’s success throughout high school.
“Seeing so many people with the same interests, listening to their stories and learning with them, it gave me confidence for my future career,” she said.
This fall, Maddie will be a student at Albion College, studying physical therapy, with plans to become an animal physical therapist. This career path will allow Maddie to work with animals without having to perform surgery or having to make end of life decisions. “I want to help animals when they’re in pain,” she said. “It’s amazing knowing that I’ll be able to do that.”
Bowers School Farm has made a significant difference in Maddie’s life and in the lives of the countless animals she will work with throughout her career. But, Bowers Farm is not only for high school students; people of all ages benefit from the region’s only educational working farm.
“It’s a place to get a different perspective and experience all stages of life,” Maddie said.
Bowers School Farm is open to the public through its Open Barn program now until the end of October. Seasonal programs, including Fall Festival and Bourbon and Brews, also offer unique farm experiences. Visit schoolfarm.org for more information.
