September 2011 Highlights « Back

The Missouri State Fair has come and gone with some cooler weather, a few stormy nights and some great highlights. The 2011 butter cow weighed in at 862 pounds and was inspired by the famous artist Rodin’s “The Thinker.” Local Sedalia artist, Janice Hargrave, along with her brother Scott, completed the task in eight days and have already started to think about next year’s inspiration.

NFL alumni Eddie Kenningson and KC Wolf joined us to help promote flavored milk. Fair-goers put on their favorite flavored milk mustache and had their picture taken with the former KC Chief and St. Louis Ram. Kids of all ages joined in on the fun.

The Gerken Dairy Center offered milking demos twice a day, information on flavored milk and the new recipe brochure featuring our “dairy moms,” and “Sophia” was there to let kids try their hand at milking a cow. And don’t forget the great ice cream and grilled cheese sandwiches, a popular stop at the Missouri State Fair. Mark your calendars now for next year’s fair, August 9-19 in Sedalia!

The Missouri Farmers Care campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals, of which Midwest Dairy is a sponsor, is wrapping up this month. In September, along with Missouri Beef and Missouri Pork, we are hosting dietitians, chefs, food editors, mommy bloggers, family and consumer science teachers, and retailers in a round table discussion about production agriculture with Missouri farm families. Dairy farmers Chris Heins from Higginsville and Kate Geppert of Columbia addressed questions about animal care and comfort, milk safety and quality and sustainability.

As part of the campaign, Midwest Dairy Day at the St. Louis Cardinals was also held, where 25,000 kids received a growth poster featuring mascot Fredbird. Dairy farmer Josh Highfill, Pleasant Hope, threw out the first pitch representing Missouri’s 1,800 dairy farm families.

For more information visit www.MOFarmersCare.com.