FAIR OAKS, Ind. – Seven Farm Credit System institutions will be collectively contributing $2.7 million over the next five years to support the Fair Oaks, Ind.-based Lake States Dairy Center’s efforts to educate the public about agriculture, livestock, and food production at the center’s Fair Oaks Farms.

Among the institutions who will be contributing are: AgCountry Farm Credit Services, American AgCredit, CoBank, Compeer Financial, Farm Credit Mid-America, Farm Credit Services of America, and Greenstone Farm Credit Services.

The center’s mission is to present the innovations within the dairy industry in an “engaging and relatable manner, helping consumers connect with the agricultural practices that impact their daily lives,” officials said.

“Visitors to the Lake States Dairy Center have the opportunity to explore full-scale operating farms, engage with industry-partnered educational curriculum, and interact with trained facilitators,” said Mike McCloskey, Fair Oaks Farms board chair. “This funding from Farm Credit will support the development of new exhibits that showcase how we are meeting the needs of agriculture today and tomorrow.”

Opened in 2004, the center operates as an education, dairy promotion and research arm at Fair Oaks Farms (which is one hour north of Lafayette in northwest Indiana), welcoming an estimated 100,000 visitors annually, which officials said “is a beacon for agritourism focused on transparent communications of modern, innovative and sustainable agriculture.”

“On behalf of all seven Farm Credit institutions partnering on this contribution, we could not be more excited to support the ongoing efforts of the Lake States Dairy Center to raise awareness of agricultural practices, livestock and food production at Fair Oaks Farms,” said Steve Wittbecker, CoBank’s chief sustainability officer.

“The enrichment programs at Fair Oaks Farms allow visitors to learn and appreciate the efforts taken by management to ensure responsible dairy production as they nourish the communities they serve,” he added.

Wittbecker said, “Environmental sustainability is a huge focus for all of U.S. agriculture, with the dairy industry at the forefront of that trend. Mike McCloskey (Fair Oaks Farms board chair) in particular has been a key innovator, demonstrating it is possible for a dairy operation to be sustainable and profitable at the same time. CoBank finances dairy processors across the country, so this contribution was a natural fit for us.”

The Farm Credit System is a network of lending cooperatives that have provided credit and financial services to farmers and rural residents for more than 100 years.

Through community investments, Farm Credit associations and their funding banks support programs and initiatives that help to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture, officials said.

“Farm Credit Mid-America is pleased to join others in the Farm Credit System in helping the Lake States Dairy Center promote agricultural education at Fair Oaks Farms,” said Derrick Waggoner, Farm Credit Mid-America chief lending officer for diversified markets.

“These programs will provide visitors with valuable knowledge about responsible dairy production and practices for many years to come,” he added. “This investment aligns with our commitment to support initiatives that broaden the public’s understanding of agriculture, and the important role it plays in our lives.”