By DEBORAH BEHRENDS
Illinois Correspondent

HAMPSHIRE, Ill. — For the fourth time since 2006, Dale and Linda Drendel opened their rural Hampshire dairy farm, Lindale Holsteins, to the public earlier this month.

The first dairy breakfast and farm tour were conducted in 2006, with nearly 800 attendees. The breakfast has also been held in 2007 and 2009. The Drendels offer this unique experience to see their farm and provide visitors with a better understanding of the origins of their food, such as dairy products.
“This Saturday morning family activity is meant to be enjoyed by all ages,“ said Dale Drendel. “We welcome visitors and hope to expand their awareness of locally grown farm products.“

One of the highlights of the farm visit is viewing some of the 150 Holstein dairy cows being milked. The modern milking parlor accommodates 11 cows at a time and offers viewers an up-close look at the farm’s automation and the transfer of milk from the cow to the holding tank. Milking demonstrations occurred during the normal morning milking, 6-7:30 a.m.

Visitors were able to see all aspects of dairy production, from the feed used in their special diets to the care taken by farmers to assure their animals are comfortable and healthy. The farm visit also offers a tour of the barns to see young dairy calves and cows.

Several pieces of farm equipment were on display, giving children an opportunity to climb on tractors and more. A hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, cheese, milk and coffee, with a cup of ice cream available, was served.
Local dairyme
n from DeKalb and Kane counties who are members of the Kishwaukee Dairy Herd Improvement Assoc. (DHIA) sponsored the breakfast and farm tour.

Helping with parking and shuttling visitors between the gate and vehicles were students in the Sycamore and Kirkland-Hiawatha high schools’ FFA chapters.
“I’m not sure of the final total, but I know we have at least 50 volunteers helping us,” Linda Drendel said of the numerous people in neon green T-shirts.
 “It’s a good opportunity to see real cows and everything that is involved in dairy production,” said Bill Lenschow, Sycamore dairyman and chair of the event. “As dairy farmers, it’s important for us to share what we do and communicate with our neighbors so they have a good understanding of production agriculture. We welcome families to experience life on a dairy farm.“
The Drendels are avid promoters of the dairy industry, whether it’s welcoming visitors to their farm, showing cattle at fairs, serving in leadership roles or educating others about agriculture. Dale serves on the boards of the Kishwaukee DHIA, Dairy Lab Services and the Illinois State Holstein Assoc. Linda, a retired teacher, has an active role on the farm taking care of the calves.

Their son, Jeff, works with them on the farm. The Drendel daughters, Carrie Corson and Julie, were former dairy ambassadors. Corson now works in public relations for COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services in Bloomington and Julie is the editor of the Illinois Holstein Herald and a graphic designer.
For the past 40 years the Drendels have been dairying in rural Hampshire. They also grow 650 acres of corn, alfalfa, oats and wheat. As livestock caretakers, the Drendels hold themselves accountable to the hundreds of dairy animals on their farm.

“We take personal responsibility for feeding and caring for our animals and providing top-quality milk for consumers,” Linda said.