The Great Lakes Regional Dairy Conference has begun in the snow-covered Frankenmuth, Michigan. Over 400 dairy enthusiasts have converged on “Little Bavaria” to spend three days learn everything from transition cow nutrition to calf care to accepting technology and feeding the world while recognizing the leaders in the dairy industry.
While a snowstorm was looming over mid-Michigan, the Thursday evening banquet highlighted dairy producers who have gone the extra mile in promotion. The evening began with Michigan State University Extension Educator Nancy Thelen recognizing the farms who hosted the popular ‘Breakfast on the Farm’ activities over the last two years around Michigan.
Since the first Michigan “Breakfast on the Farm” education program was held at Dutch Meadows Dairy in Clinton County in 2009, twenty additional farms have hosted this unique program. Just under 41,000 consumers and farm neighbors have experienced a firsthand look at the modern food production practices and the farm families who work hard to produce a safe, wholesome food supply for Michigan communities and the world. The surveys have shown that over 43% of those who attend have not been on a modern dairy farm in at least the last 20 years. The program is changing the public’s perception about farming in general.
Breakfast on the Farm Hosts from around Michigan were honored.
The 2010 host farms were: Horning Farms, Washtenaw County; Steenblick Dairy, Clinton County; Bryant Farm, Isabella County and Risky Endeavor Dairy, Alpena County.
The 2011 host farms were Jef-Len Dairy, Clinton County; Raymond and Stutzman Farm, Lenawee County; Circle K Farms, Ogemaw County; Pasch Dairy, Isabella County; Daybreak Dairy, Ottawa County, S & M Dairy, Huron County, Taylor Creek Farm, Chippewa County and Benthem Brothers, Missaukee County.
The 2012 host farms were Myers Farm, Kalamazoo County; Choate’s Belly Acres, Jackson County; Goma Dairy Farm, Sanilac County; VanDrese Farms, Delta County; May Farms, Kent County; Judge Dairy Farm, Isabella County; Gingrich Meadows, Osceloa County and John Schaendorf Dairy, Allegan County.
Continuing in recognizing the promoters of dairy products was the honoring of Julie Alexander of Hanover, Michigan as the recipient of the United Dairy Industry of Michigan Excellence in Dairy Promotions Award. As the wife of a dairy farmer and mother of five children, Julie has promoted dairy in every facet of her life as a public school educator to her position now as a Jackson County Commissioner.
MSU Dairy Specialist Dr. Joe Domecq took the stage to shine the light on the youth in the dairy industry as he introduced the winning 2012 4-H Dairy Judging Team of World Dairy Expo. Megan Filhart, Hayleigh Geurink, Megan Bush and Savannah Katulski were recognized as the team that won it all at World Dairy Expo earning a trip to Europe in June to learn more about the dairy industry abroad.
The evening concluded with Lynn Liddle the Executive Vice President for Communications, Investor Relations and Legislative Affairs for Domino’s Pizza. She took the crowd down memory lane from the first days of Domino’s Pizza to 2013 where they have partnered with the dairy industry and are creating pizzas with more cheese and increasing the demand for dairy products. Dominos is also making changes to their stores to include a place where younger children can step up and watch a pizza maker toss the pizza dough and they are offering white and chocolate milk in coolers at the counter.
There was a large crowd on hand for the evening banquet on Thursday.
A silent auction was held to benefit the Ambassador Program.
A live auction was held to benefit the winning 4-H Dairy Judging Team and their trip to Europe in June. Scott Ferry of Litchfield served as a very energetic "ringman" and now has a new job with Paul Warner and Producers, Inc., at their monthly dairy sale.
Caldonia Farmers Elevator purchased the old Farm Lane sign from the campus Michigan State University to benefit the 4-H dairy judging team.
Several business are participating in the trade show at the conference.