BROOKINGS – SDSU Extension, area dairy producers and dairy industry personnel invite the public to enjoy free family events during Dairy Fest 2018 held in Brookings June 2 at the Swiftel Center, 824 32nd Ave.

The event is free and open to the public. It is designed for all ages to learn about dairy. Below are additional details about Dairy Fest 2018 and some of the pre-events and activities:

Picowsa’s of the Central Plains Contest

View artwork created by area 4-H, FFA members and elementary and high school students as part of Picowsa’s of the Central Plains contest. The artwork will be displayed and some will be offered as part of the silent auction during the Got Milk Gala held May 31. Funds raised will go to support the Dairy Fest Scholarships offered to SDSU Dairy Students. They will also be displayed throughout the Dairy Fest Carnival on Saturday, June 2.

Got Milk Gala

The “Got Milk Gala” is the premier event, where dairy will be part of the five-course meal featuring locally produced cheese. The event will be held May 31 at the Swiftel Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. with social hour, followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are secured by invitation from a supporting table sponsor.

Perfectly paired wine will complement the dairy flavor. While enjoying the meal, community and state leaders, area business owners, industry leaders and dairy producers will be sharing the importance of dairy to the surrounding area.

This year’s keynote speaker is Sue McCloskey.

McCloskey was an art and art history student before being swept up in the world of dairy cows upon meeting her husband, Mike, who has  extensive experience in the dairy industry. In 1999, Mike and Sue moved to Northwest Indiana to build one of the largest dairy farms in the country, Prairie’s Edge Dairy Farm, which currently milks 15,000 cows along with a 1,000 cow organic dairy.

The most current addition to the farm will be an 800 cow robotic dairy which should become operational by early 2018. At the same time they were building farms in Indiana they opened Fair Oaks Farms, the country’s largest and most recognized agritourist attraction.

Fork to Farm event

Youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings and its Teen Center will participate in the the Fork to Farm Dairy Educational Event June 1. Participants will learn how dairy cows produce milk and how milk is turned into dairy products. Youth will also have the opportunity to make butter along with learning about different careers in the dairy industry.

Leadership training with Sue McCloskey

On June 1, the Dairy Fest committee invites all interested to participate in a free two-hour leadership training session at the Swiftel Center in Brookings at 9 a.m

The training will be led by Sue McCloskey, along with her husband, Mike.

Dairy Fest Carnival, SDSU Davis Dairy plant tour and dairy farm tour

The farm comes to you at the Dairy Fest Carnival on Saturday, June 2. Stop by the Swiftel Center in Brookings for several hands-on family friendly activities. Some of the activities will include a live animal petting zoo of cows/calves, combine and skid steer bouncy house, Spin the Wheel of Dairy Fortune, corn and soybean box, straw bale maze, five-gallon pail stack, cow patty golf, dairy product tasting, and a cheese plant relay race are just some of the activities that will be at this year’s event.

Meet the 2018 South Dakota Dairy Princess and get your picture taken with new royalty.

Free SDSU ice cream will be served until it’s gone for carnival participants. The carnival will be held from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Families are encouraged to attend.

Cooking with dairy demonstrations

Hy-Vee dietician Kayla Aman will demonstrate how to create a healthy, dairy-filled snacks at the Dairy Fest Carnival.

Recipe cards will be available for you to recreate the meal at home. The cooking demonstration will take place between 10 a.m and 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Swiftel Center.

SDSU Davis Dairy Plant tours

Wondering how SDSU ice cream and cheese are made? Join us for a tour of the SDSU Davis Dairy Plant for a behind-the-scenes tour of how dairy products are made.

Tours will run from 10  to 11 a.m.

Buses will run every 20 minutes from the Swiftel Center to bring participants to the dairy plant.

Tour and lunch at Old Tree Dairy Farm

There will also be  a free lunch and tour of Old Tree Farms in Volga. These tours will take place from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Free grilled cheese sandwiches and SDSU ice cream will be served. Free transportation to the farm will be provided with buses leaving every half hour beginning at 11 a.m. from the Swiftel Center to the farm. Handicap accessible bussing is also available.

For more information about Dairy Fest, contact Larissa Neugebauer, Dairy Fest coordinator, at 605-770-8233.

Courtesy photo