BROOKINGS, S.D. — SDSU Extension, area dairy producers and dairy industry personnel invite the public to enjoy free family events during Dairy Fest 2018 held in Brookings June 2, 2018 at the Swiftel Center (824 32nd Ave).
The event is free and open to the public. It is designed for all ages to learn about dairy.
“This event is truly unique as it brings together multiple facets of the industry to celebrate the nutrient-rich benefits of dairy products and the many people – from farmers to processors to chefs – who play a role in delivering dairy to consumers,” said Darrel Rennich Dairy Fest Chairmen and Diamond V Sales Representative.
Below are additional details about Dairy Fest 2018 and some of the pre-events and activities:
Picowsa’s of the Central Plains Contest
View artwork created by area 4-H, FFA members and elementary and high school students as part of Picowsa’s of the Central Plains contest. The artwork will be displayed and some will be offered as part of the silent auction during the Got Milk Gala held May 31, 2018. Funds raised will go to support the Dairy Fest Scholarships offered to SDSU Dairy Students. They will also be displayed throughout the Dairy Fest Carnival on Saturday, June 2, 2018.
Got Milk Gala
The “Got Milk Gala” is the premier event; where dairy will be part of the five course meal, featuring locally produced cheese. The event will be held May 31, 2018 at the Swiftel Center beginning at 6:30 PM with social hour, followed by dinner at 7:30 PM tickets are secured by invitation from a supporting table sponsor.
Perfectly paired wine will complement the dairy flavor. While enjoying the meal, community and state leaders, area business owners, industry leaders and dairy producers will be sharing the importance of dairy to the surrounding area.
This year’s keynote speaker is Sue McCloskey. Sue was an art and art history student before being swept up in the world of dairy cows upon meeting her husband, Mike. They ran a successful dairy veterinary consulting practice in Southern California along with a 300 cow dairy and then 1000 cow dairy. In 1990 they sold the vet practice and became full time dairy farmers by moving to New Mexico and building a 5000 cow dairy farm. While in New Mexico, they created Select Milk Producers, now the nation’s sixth largest dairy cooperative, and began thinking about how to make milk more relevant to consumers and how to tell the story of modern agriculture. In 1999, Mike and Sue moved to Northwest Indiana to build one of the largest dairy farms in the country, Prairie’s Edge Dairy Farm, which currently milks 15,000 cows along with a 1,000 cow organic dairy. The most current addition to the farm will be an 800 cow robotic dairy which should become operational by early 2018. At the same time they were building farms in Indiana they opened Fair Oaks Farms, the country’s largest and most recognized agritourist attraction.
Sue and Mike also served as the founders of Fairlife, which is a dairy-based health and wellness company owned by both Select Milk Producers and The Coca Cola Company. Fairlife milk, which is a high protein, low sugar, lactose free milk aimed at families, has been instrumental in refocusing the public’s perception of milk from being a generic product to one that brings value and nutrition to American families. Sue has been the Creative Director for Fair Oaks Farms as well as serving as a spokesperson for Fairlife.
Fork to Farm: Dairy Educational Event
Youth at the Brookings Boys N Girls Club and Teen Center will be participating in the the Fork to Farm Dairy Educational Event June 1, 2018. Participants will learn how dairy cows produce milk and how milk is turned into dairy products. Youth will also have the opportunity to make butter along with learning about different careers in the dairy industry.
Leadership training with Sue McCloskey
June 1, 2018 the Dairy Fest committee invites all interested to participate in a free two-hour leadership training session at the Swiftel Center in Brookings on June 9 AM.
The training will be led by Sue McCloskey, along with her husband, Mike. Read more about the McCloskeys under the “Got Milk Gala” subtitle above.
Dairy Fest Carnival, SDSU Davis Dairy Plant Tour and Dairy Farm Tour
The farm comes to you at the Dairy Fest Carnival on Saturday, June 2, 2018. Stop by the Swiftel Center in Brookings for several hands-on family friendly activities. Some of the activities will include a live animal petting zoo of cows/calves, combine & skid steer bouncy house, Spin the Wheel of Dairy Fortune, corn and soybean box, straw bale maze, 5 gallon pail stack, cow patty golf, dairy product tasting, and a cheese plant relay race are just some of the activities that will be at this year’s event.
Meet the 2018 South Dakota Dairy Princess and get your picture taken with our new royalty.
Free SDSU Ice cream will be served until it’s gone for carnival participants. The carnival will be held on Saturday from 10 AM to 1:30 PM Families are encouraged to attend.
Cooking with Dairy Demonstrations
Hy-Vee dietician, Kayla Aman, will demonstrate how to create a healthy, dairy-filled snacks at the Dairy Fest Carnival.
Recipe cards will be available for you to recreate the meal at home. The cooking demonstration will take place on Saturday, June 2, 2018 at between 10 AM and 1:30 PM at the Swiftel Center.
SDSU Davis Dairy Plant Tours
Wondering how the SDSU ice cream and cheese are made? Join us for a tour of the SDSU Davis Dairy Plant for a behind-the-scenes tour of how dairy products are made.
Tours will run from 10 AM till 11 AM.
Buses will run every 20 minutes from the Swiftel Center to bring participants to the dairy plant.
Tour and Lunch Old Tree Dairy Farm
Join us for a free lunch and free tour of Old Tree Farms in Volga. These tours will take place from 11 AM until 1:30 PM.
This is a great opportunity to see the workings of a modern family dairy farm.
Free grilled cheese sandwiches and SDSU ice cream will be served. Free transportation to the farm will be provided with buses leaving every half hour beginning at 11 AM from the Swiftel Center to the farm. Handicap accessible bussing is also available.
For more information about Dairy Fest, please contact Larissa Neugebauer, Dairy Fest Coordinator at 605-770- 8233 or sddairyfest@gmail.com
Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 30, 2018
Picowsa Painting Contest Judging
“Got Milk Gala”- Swiftel Center – invitation only event
6:30 PM – Social Hour followed by dinner at 7:30 PM.
Friday, June 1, 2018
9:00 – 11:00 AM – Leadership Training with Sue McCloskey – Swiftel Center – open to the public.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Session 1: Fork to Farm: Dairy Educational Sessions at Brookings Boys N Girls Teen Center
1 – 2 PM Session 2: Fork to Farm: Dairy Educational Sessions at Brookings Boys N Girls Teen Center
Saturday, June 2, 2018
10 AM – 11 AM SDSU Davis Dairy Plant Tours Buses will run every 20 minutes from Swiftel Center
10 AM – 1:30 PM Cooking with Dairy Demonstrations
10 AM – 1:30 PM Dairy Fest Carnival, at Swiftel Center, SDSU ice cream, Cow Party Golf, bouncy house, corn and soybean boxes, petting zoo, Spin the Wheel of Dairy Fortune, straw bale maze and more.
11 AM – 1:30 PM Dairy Farm Tour and Lunch – Old Tree Dairy Farm, Volga, SD
Buses will run every half hour from the Swiftel Center to the farm.
— SDSU Extension
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