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How did you celebrate June Dairy Month?

I celebrated with 563 first graders!

In early June, in conjunction with our county’s Cooperative Extension, Farm
Bureau and other various Ag-related organizations, first graders from all over
Genesee County, NY were invited to June Dairy Day at Lamb Farms, Inc.,
located in western New York. Owned by the Lamb and Veazey families, Lamb
Farms is a dairy farm currently milking over 3500 Holsteins. The Lambs and
Veazeys presented a spotless view of the dairy industry. This gives everyone’s
part in the day the value and excellence each deserves.

15 different ‘stations’ were set up around the farm educating the children (and
parents) about where their milk comes from. In addition to the basic cow
education of feed, manure handling, milk parlor, hoof trimming, calf care and
veterinary care, there was also a bee keeper, the county Dairy Princess,
recycling on the farm, animal nutritionist, soil and water conservation, tractor
and farm implement display, poultry and GOATS!

The previous fall I was approached to participate in this event so I was able to
coordinate two freshenings to occur shortly before Dairy Day. As a result, I had
4 Oberhasli baby bucks, approximately 2 weeks old, on display for the petting
zoo. The children were amazed by their playfulness, receiving many ohh’s and
ahh’s. The arrival of school buses was continuous from 9am to about 12 noon.
I think I spoke to every one of those 563 children! Their questions ranged from
“What are they?” to “Can I have one?” Not surprisingly, several children
mentioned that they or someone they knew has goats.

I received hugs, thank you cards, and an invitation to come back again. This
was a wonderful opportunity to educate the public about the importance of
drinking milk and clear up the many incorrect myths that people have regarding
goats.