GREENFIELD, Ind. — The National Guernsey Dairy Cattle Convention is racing to Indianapolis, June 22-26. The Holiday Inn North at 3850 DePauw Boulevard in Indianapolis, will host the convention.

Families and guests must call 1-800-465-4329 to reserve rooms. Callers should indicate they are with the National Guernsey Convention. The hotel is located on the northwest-side of Indianapolis, south of I-465 on U.S. 421.

The jam-packed, five-day National Guernsey Convention includes a variety of events and activities.

There will be special chartered bus tours to many events, including selected dairy farms, Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre and a Youth Pool and Pizza Party.

There is also a queen contest, quiz bowl, youth public speaking contests, competition for scholarships, award banquets, youth water park and a national convention cattle sale.

The American Guernsey Assoc. will host board meetings, open forums and special seminars on topics such as resolution production and genetics. There will also be a dairybelt sires’ meeting. A hospitality room will feature refreshments of milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt and crackers.

There will be more than 31 agriculture and related business organizations as donors and exhibitors.

Tours will include Dow AgroSciences, Elanco, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sparks Guernsey Farm and Northern Indiana Guernsey Farms and Amish Acres.

One of the farms on the tour is owned by Phillip and Ruthie Sparks. Phillip serves as one of the convention’s co-chairmen. The For-Lou Farm is near Mohawk, Ind., east of Indianapolis. Phillip’s parents, Forest and Louise Sparks, acquired the farm in 1936. Phillip has received the Master Breeder Award and is a past 4-H and FFA member, along with his two children, Amanda and Adam, who are now earning their college agriculture degrees.

Interested persons should request a National Convention Registration form by calling or writing Gary or Nancy Mithoefer at 317-861-8103, or writing to 1020 S. Country Lane, Greenfield, IN, 46140. Send e-mails to gnmithoefer@sbcglobal.net

This farm news was published in the April 26, 2006 issue of Farm World.