On a beautiful July morning, volunteers hustled to set up educational display areas for the 19th annual Great Dairy Adventure. Many of the volunteers are dairy farmers, milk haulers, or serve the dairy industry in multiple ways. They all have a story to tell: milk is wholesome, nutritious and pure.
The Great Dairy Adventure is part of the Michigan Dairy Expo, a five-day event that brings 4-H clubs, FFA chapters and dairy youth together from across the state to compete in dairy knowledge, skill, showmanship and judging contests.
In total, 15 educational displays explained the dairy industry from farm to plate. From milking a cow on a simulation demo, petting baby calves and learning about cow nutrition to learning about how milk is hauled from the farm to the processing plant, participants saw it all.
Over 600 children and adults met local farmers and learned about dairy farming and the industry first hand. Sparty and Michigan State University athletes participated in the featured activities including the new Fuel Up to Play 60 Fun Run and very popular opportunity to feel inside the stomach of a cannulated cow.
MMPA hosted the craft station with a lace up a cow and dairy cow hats as well as the milk simulation demo “I Milked a Cow.” MMPA dairy communicators, employees, summer interns and milk haulers also volunteered and provided a positive learning experience.
The Great Dairy Adventure event is offered to families, day-care providers and summer camps across the state is free for all participants. In addition to the educational component everyone enjoyed dairy treats such as chocolate milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream provided by various vendors.
As the day wound down and the crowds thinned, volunteers shared stories and reminisced about the smiles and laughter that filled the MSU Pavilion for several hours. Next year will be the celebration of 20 years of the Great Dairy Adventure and the excitement has already begun.
Join us next year as a volunteer! For more information, contact Jessica Welch at 248-474-6672, ext. 303.