South Dakota Farm Families announced four events for South Dakotans to see for themselves where the milk, ice cream, cheese and other dairy products they enjoy get their start. Open houses in June and July will feature dairy farm tours, family-friendly activities and free meals and ice cream treats.
"We appreciate the farm families who are hosting the open house events and sharing their stories and farms with their neighbors and communities," said Heidi Zwinger, Outreach Director for Ag United. "We are looking forward to showcasing the ways that today's dairy farmers are caring for their animals and protecting our state's water and land resources while producing milk for all the nutritious and delicious dairy products that South Dakota families enjoy every day."
Open houses and tours will be held:
June 4 -- 8th Annual Dairy Fest near Brookings, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Golden Dakota Farms is hosting all of the annual Dairy Fest activities on their 3,000 cow dairy farm. This 'Moovelous Day of Fun on the Farm' will have activities for the kids, as well as a free grilled cheese lunch and SDSU ice cream for visitors. Children's entertainer Phil Baker will perform at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The farm is located at 48188 221st St., Elkton and shuttles will also be available from the South Dakota State University Davis Dairy Plant, 1225 College Ave., Brookings. Tours of the Davis Dairy Plant are also available to guests from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
June 11 -- MoDak Dairy Day, 46516 171st St., Goodwin, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join the Moes family for tours of their farm and enjoy free grilled cheese sandwiches and ice cream.
June 18 -- Breakfast on the Farm at Royalwood Dairy, 48176 266th St., Brandon, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join the Ode family for their annual open house featuring free pancakes, malts, kids activities and farm tours. Phil Baker will perform at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and 'Hood magazine will host a "Make and Take" craft project throughout the event. Parking is located 1.25 miles east of the dairy with a shuttle to the farm.
July 16 -- Boadwine Dairy Open House, 46945 251st St., Baltic, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a free lunch and tour the farm that was homesteaded in 1874 and now houses 2,100 cows on a modern dairy farm.
South Dakota dairy farms are also an important part of the state's economy and rural communities. With a total economic impact of $4.85 billion in 2021, the dairy industry led to 14,700 jobs across the state. With advances in cow care, nutrition, genetics and technology, dairy producers in South Dakota and across the U.S. are able to increase milk production with fewer cows and water use than in previous decades. The U.S. dairy industry is pursuing a voluntary goal to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050.
More information and details about all events are available on the Ag United for South Dakota website and Facebook page.
South Dakota Farm Families/Ag United for South Dakota is a coalition of farm organizations with a goal of keeping family farms growing. Coalition members include South Dakota Cattleman's Association, South Dakota Corn Growers Association, South Dakota Dairy Producers, South Dakota Farm Bureau, South Dakota Pork Producers Council, South Dakota Poultry Industries Association and South Dakota Soybean Association. To learn more, visit https://www.agunited.org/ or follow South Dakota Farm Families on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Categories: South Dakota, Livestock, Dairy Cattle