This year’s Michigan Dairy Expo (July 20-24) was another successful one!
Even with the sour dairy economy, close to 200 exhibitors brought in around 400 head of dairy animals to compete in the week’s schedule of shows and other events. This year’s commercial heifer sale was cancelled because of the poor market, but aside from that, things were rather festive and upbeat. The cool weather (read: not 100+ degrees and humid!) also added to the pleasantness, for sure.
A near record turnout for the Great Dairy Adventure enjoyed a redesigned event with more accessible navigation throughout the exhibits and activities, and the first annual Michigan Livestock Auction was a resounding success, bringing in upwards of $100K to support of Michigan 4-H youth and scholarship programs. Collaboration with the 30th annual Ag Expo across the road also proved successful, with more attendees than ever taking advantage of the free shuttle available to transport folks between the two sites.
The best way to experience what you missed is to visit the Michigan Dairy Expo Web site to view the pictures and stories from this year’s event!
The buzzword this year is “staycation.” We’ve all heard it once, twice, 30, 72 times, right? With the state of the current economy, families are looking for fun, engaging and free activities or events to attend within a day’s drive from home or extended family.
Whether you’re a native Michigander, visiting the state, heading up a daycare, summer camp or other alternative venue, and looking for something that fits the “free, fun, engaging and good for young and old alike” category, then consider attending the 11th annual Great Dairy Adventure! consumer education day.
This annual event occurs in conjunction with the Michigan Dairy Expo (July 20-24) at the Michigan State University Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education on the campus of MSU in East Lansing. The Great Dairy Adventure owns its own special day – Wednesday, July 22 – and takes place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
My advice: arrive early. Last year, more than 3,000 young people along with their families or providers, attended the event.
I could go on and describe the event in detail, but here’s a better idea: visit the Web site at www.michigandairyexpo.com. Here you’ll learn all about the Great Dairy Adventure!, but also about Michigan Dairy Expo and Ag Expo. Ag Expo takes place July 21-23 across the field to the north of Michigan Dairy Expo, and there are all sorts of fun and interesting things to do and learn about.
For families looking to schedule a full day of activities, I strongly encourage you to plan for both events. Whether you are actively involved in farming or not, it doesn’t matter. Ag Expo is not strictly reserved for “real” farmers. This is MSU, after all, and education and outreach are two things we do quite well. Plus, a free shuttle takes you between the two events. If nothing else, ride the horse-drawn wagon around the grounds and stop off when something looks interesting. Whatever you do while there, don’t miss the CANR (College of Agriculture and Natural Resources) tent on the north side of the grounds. There is free MSU Dairy Store ice cream inside. This is in addition to all sorts of other interesting things for young and old alike.
Oh, and other thoughtful tips: pack sunscreen, wear comfortable shoes and don’t forget the camera!
-
- A face painter examines his work in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources tent at Ag Expo.
-
- Daycare students make friends with a heifer at the 2007 Great Dairy Adventure.
Thanks to Tina Sarkey who took part in the 2009 Breakfast on the Farm by accompanying Dr. Ron Erskine, MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, to the event, we are able to recapture some of the memories from this year’s event. Thanks, Tina, for creating and sharing this YouTube video with us:
That’s right! If you’re looking to attend another free fun family event in the mid-Michigan area, you need look no farther than Michigan State University. Two major events happen the third week of July on the campus in East Lansing.
The Michigan Dairy Expo is scheduled from Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 24. The major family event takes place on Wednesday, July 22. The Great Dairy Adventure is a consumer education day sponsored by the state’s dairy industry and the Michigan Department of Agriculture. The event includes crafts, dairy foods, tractors, milking equipment, games, baby calves, milk mustache photos with MSU athletes, and too many other activities to mention!
The event takes place from 9 a .m. to 3 p.m. at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education.
There is no cost to attend and pre-registration is not required. Families, daycare providers and summer camps are invited to attend.
The Great Dairy Adventure is also a creative idea for a “Staycation” activity or an activity to share between grandparents and grandchildren. There is something for everyone of all ages!
While in town for Michigan Dairy Expo and the Great Dairy Adventure, drive across the road – or take advantage of the free shuttle bus service from the MSU Pavilion – to Michigan Ag Expo, the state’s largest agricultural equipment show. Don’t think that Ag Expo is just about tractors and equipment, even though there is lots of that! Visit the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources tent where there will be crafts, games, exhibits for all ages, free educational sessions and free ice cream courtesy of the MSU Dairy Store. Throughout the grounds you’ll see other interesting and unique things from beautifully designed wood carved on-site by a chainsaw artist to an automated (robotic) milking system to a full-fledged tractor pull to garden and field plots. Since there are too many things to list, visit the Ag Expo Web site to learn more.
Both Ag Expo and Michigan Dairy Expo are free events and neither one requires pre-registration. Just jump in your car and come on out – for one tank of gas, you and your family or group can enjoy a full day of fun, interesting and educational activities on the MSU campus.
Visit the Michigan Dairy Expo Web site for more information!
Welcome to the 2009 Breakfast on the Farm!
Visit the “Guestbook” tab in the upper right-hand corner of the page – next to the “About” section – and send us your thoughts, share your memories or offer suggestions for the organizing committee on how it can improve future events.
If you’re looking for similar events and fun activities in the state, be sure to visit the “Events” page, too!
We look forward to hearing from you!
At final count, an estimated 1,250 people enjoyed a delicious breakfast and even more people came to enjoy the tour only. It’s estimated that more than 1,500 people attended the first-ever Breakfast on the Farm Saturday at the Jandernoa’s Dutch Meadows Dairy farm near St. Johns.
As dawn broke, we weren’t confident that the weather was going to cooperate, but mid-morning the sun broke through the clouds and it turned into a beautiful day! People of all ages had a great time by all accounts!
More than 150 volunteers helped cook, serve, clean up and direct tour-goers throughout the day. Thank you, one and all!
Be sure to check back in the coming days to peruse photos and comments.
In the meantime, we’d like to remember in our hearts and in prayer the family of Michael Pettigrew, St. Johns, a former Clinton Co. Farm Bureau president and active volunteer for this year’s Breakfast on the Farm. Pettigrew was killed Saturday night in a two-vehicle accident in the St. Johns area. Condolences to his wife, family and extended network of friends.
What else is there to say other than preparations are well underway for tomorrow’s big day!
The weather forecast still appears to be a bit wet, but so be it – it rains on the farm, too! Rain is very important to make the crops grow so that farmers can feed their animals and harvest crops to feed you and your families.
As you drive to tomorrow’s event, be sure to notice the alfalfa hay down (cut) in the fields and the green wisps of young corn plants stretching upwards in the fields, well on its way to “knee high by the fourth of July.” Wheat in some places is beginning to change color from deep green to pale yellow for an early to mid-July harvest date. Farmers are still waiting and starting to get antsy about getting their dry beans and soybeans planted for the 2009 crop year. The fields can’t be too wet or the tractors will get stuck, which is not a fun thing to have happen!
So enjoy the full experience, from your drive to the farm to visiting the various educational stations, exhibits and games to eating a hearty pancake breakfast, have fun!
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for the 2009 Breakfast on the Farm!
Two days! And the excitement and preparation is building!
The weather report looks a bit questionable for Saturday – at least in today’s news, but of course, this could change 20 times between now and Saturday – but still come on out! The show will go on! The food will be delicious and fun activities and learning opportunities will await you!
Just pack your umbrella and galoshes and come prepared to have a great time!
Have you been thinking up questions to ask your farm hosts and learning station leaders? Not yet? Then reflect again on the June 12 post, which suggests checking out the Dairy Farming Today Web site for a quick tutorial on everything dairy farming.
Of course, don’t forget, there will be farmers at Saturday’s event representing other agricultural industries, as well! These folks will be more than happy to answer your questions about their field of specialty, too!
In the meantime, here are some good Web sites to check out to learn factual information direct to you from the producers and industry groups:
Pork Industry
Dairy – United Dairy Industry of Michigan
Beef – National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Corn – Michigan Corn Growers Association (hint: check out the special education section for kids!)
Horses
Please keep in mind that this is only a SAMPLING of the resources available to you on the Internet. If you’re wondering whether the site you’ve found under search listings provide fact-based information, refer to the source. Who is providing the information and is it opinion-based or fact-based? Is it educational in nature or geared to help you form an opinion about a product, service or industry? What is the purpose of the information and how was it collected or developed? Is the information supported or endorsed by people who would have the knowledge necessary to do so?
We hope you can join us this weekend for Breakfast on the Farm!
And did I mention – there will be free ice cream!
That’s right, the Breakfast on the Farm event will happen rain or shine this Saturday, June 20 at the Jandernoa farm near St. Johns.
Farming goes on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year regardless of the weather or the economy or if it’s a holiday or if the farmer has a broken arm, the job is still there to do! In other words, come on out because we’ll be ready to host you rain or shine!
If it is raining, be sure to bring an umbrella and also wear appropriate footwear. Galoshes or tennis shoes are preferred to open-toe sandals or flip-flops, for example. If it’s raining or still wet from showers the day or night before, it will be soggy – so come prepared!
Another thing that I’ve forgotten to mention in previous posts is that this will be a camera-friendly event. Bring your cameras and take photos of the children or family engaging in various activities or learning about new things on the farm, petting a young calf or eating ice cream. This is your day to have fun, learn new things and meet some of the nicest and most down-to-earth people around, farmers and their families!
Yes, that’s correct – the 2009 Breakfast on the Farm is SOLD OUT!
That is to say that all of the free tickets for the breakfast have been taken, but you and your family and friends are still invited to come to the Jandernoa farm and participate in the many exhibits and fun activities planned for this Saturday, June 20.
