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In 2009, Dutch Meadows Dairy in St. Johns opened their doors to more than 1,500 guests for the first-in-Michigan Breakfast on the Farm.
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In 2009, Dutch Meadows Dairy in St. Johns opened their doors to more than 1,500 guests for the first-in-Michigan Breakfast on the Farm. MSU Extension has taken the lead in making this an annual Extension educational program at locations across the state. County Farm Bureaus have been an important partner in several of the events across Michigan For more information visit: www.breakfastonthefarm.com or contact: Nancy Thelen (734) 222-3825 thelenn@anr.msu.edu
MISSION: “Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) gives consumers and farm neighbors a first-hand look at modern food production, and the farm families who work hard to produce a safe, wholesome food supply for Michigan communities and the world.”
3 Key Messages • Farmers take care of their animals • Farmers are good stewards of the environment • Farmers produce safe, wholesome and nutritious food
Historical Numbers • The number of visitors by event: Kalamazoo: 2,430 Jackson: 2,675 Sanilac: 2,350 Delta: 2,332 Kent: 1,150 Isabella: 2,000 Osceola: 2,656 Allegan: 2,700 2012 Total: 18,293 • 2009 (Inaugural event in Clinton county): 1,500 • 2010 (4 events - Clinton, Washtenaw, Isabella & Alpena counties): 7,600 • 2011 (8 events – Clinton, Lenawee, Ogemaw, Isabella, Ottawa, Huron, Chippewa & Missaukee counties): 13,472 • 2012 (8 events): 18,293 • 4 year total: 40,865
Who Comes to BOTF? Visitors who are hungry for food and education 2012 exit survey data showed that: • 43% of the visitors had not been on a working dairy farm in the past twenty years • 29% had been on a farm 1-5 times • 23% grew up on a farm • 51% grew up in an urban area • 20% had no relatives that • own/owned a farm • 45% lived in an urban area
General Information • Tickets required • Free • 9 am – 1 pm • Self guided tour • Crowd favorites: • Calves • Wagon rides • Equipment • Milking parlor
An Extension staff member *Assists with identifying a host farm*Reviews and signs host farm application *Active in the planning process *Provides oversight of promotional materials and educational messages • ! Faith Cullens - MSU Extension dairy educator who brought the concept of Breakfast on the Farm to Michigan!
MSU Extension Involvement • Serve as the fiduciary for the event (deposit donations and pay bills in accordance with MSUE procedures) • Use of office phone number or educator’s office as a contact number on promotional materials • Develops new signage if needed
Willing Host Farm • Not be afraid of hosting large crowds • Help appoint a planning committee who assists in all areas • Help secure donations • Facility and size dependent • Help recruit volunteers (A checklist is available for any potential host farm to review.)
2012 Statewide Sponsors • Dairy Farmers of America & Dairy Marketing Services • Corn Marketing Program of Michigan & Michigan Corn Growers Association • Dairyland Seed Co., Inc. • GreenStone Farm Credit Services • Michigan Ag Council • Michigan Farm Bureau • Michigan Milk Producers Association • Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee • Pioneer • United Dairy Industry of Michigan
Local financial support • Depending on the size of the event and meal logistics, planning committees need to secure $13,000 -$20,000 (cash and local food product donations) • Money is used for: • Rental of tent, tables, chairs, port-a-johns, hand washing stations, food preparation equipment • Purchase of food, water, catering, paper products • Printing, marketing and promotional materials • Volunteer t-shirts
Kalamazoo: 220 Jackson: 200 Sanilac: 180 Delta: 200 Kent: 150 Isabella: 200 Osceola: 284 Allegan: 175 Total of 1,609 volunteers Approximate average is 200/event! Jeremy Beebe, Ogemaw dairy farmer • Knowledgeable volunteers
Biosecurity • Visitor policy • Ask if they had been out of country • Sign in if not done at first tent • Issue booties
Educational, self-guided tour with volunteers at each station
Farm tour includes educational stations with key messages • Meet the family • Feed storage area • Milking parlor • Animal health • Calves • Crop production • Cow housing • Farm equipment • Maternity area • Nutrient recycling
Opportunities to learn from professionals Dr. Herb Bucholtz, retired MSU dairy nutritionist Ultrasound demonstration by local veterinarian
Education is key & the Kids Quiz is a huge hit!
Breakfast on the Farm-connecting to consumers • Is changing public perceptions about how farmers manage environment, animal and food safety • Participants believe their knowledge has increased • 85 % strongly agreed that BOTF is a good way to connect the public with modern food production
2012 BOTF WRITTEN COMMENTS • Wonderfully educational. We had a great time and learned why it is important to run a good operation. • Thank you for providing this opportunity. My family would never have visited a farm without this program. • The advancement of housing and clean environment for animals was different than we had expected. • I had no prior knowledge as to how a farm is operated. I was surprised on how systematic and efficient the farm process is.
