By MELISSA HART
Michigan Correspondent

JONESVILLE, Mich. — Thank you, our kids loved it!
Everyone was great help in answering our questions.
It was great learning so much about dairying.

We need more events like this, the farm is amazing.

These were just a few of the sentiments written on survey cards after 600-plus parents, grandparents and children visited Denningsons Farm in Jonesville, where the Hillsdale County Agricultural Organization sponsored an ice cream social on the farm during the last week of June Dairy Month.

Using many of the same materials as “Breakfast on the Farm” events – and with the same mission of communicating that farmers care for their livestock, the environment and about producing a healthy product – folks flocked to the farm in search of free ice cream. But, they also received an education from beginning to end about what happens on a dairy farm.

Upon arrival, attendees boarded a wagon and went on a tour of the feed storage areas while learning how feed is grown, harvested and stored for the cows. Upon being dropped off at the milking parlor, they were able to watch cows being milked and learned how much a cow eats and how much milk she produces – and were just as amazed at her manure production.

“People look at the tub of manure and ask, ‘Does she really poop that much?’” commented Roberta Osborn, the Michigan State University extension educator on hand to explain how the consumption of feed leads to milk production. She had a big tub of manure behind a model bovine to illustrate the magnitude of the workings of a dairy cow.

“Folks ask a lot of great questions, and we even had one ask about hormones in milk,” Osborn said, “and this was a great place for her to learn the truth and to educate a crowd of people at the same time about the safety and goodness of milk.”

Dr. Heath, a local large animal veterinarian, was monitoring the maternity pen as the farm owners thought they might have a cow calve during the tour. She answered questions from visitors and educated them on the birthing process.
In a large, new shop recently constructed by farm owners, Doug and Steve Denning, there were several educational displays set up along with the free ice cream. Farm equipment littered the big, grassy yard for kids to climb on and enjoy, while right next to it were two rows of calf hutches filled with newborn calves.

A model cow was available for youngsters to try to “milk” while parents learned about individual local farmers and their passion for farming and good stewardship of the land.

Cami Evans, one of the event coordinators and a dairy farm owner from Litchfield, Mich., was thrilled with the turnout on the sunny Sunday afternoon.
“The crowd has been steady and we are excited to see so many folks take advantage of this free opportunity to learn about our industry,” she said, adding, with a chuckle, “We were told there were Little League baseball games that couldn’t be played because the kids wanted to come out to the farm for the free ice cream.”

With more than 60 volunteers who helped with the ice cream social, Evans was not only pleased with the outcome and thankful for the generous hosts, the Dennings and their families, but was excited to be able to connect with consumers and to provide a fun family opportunity on the farm.