Green Acres Organic Dairy Farm welcomed approximately 2000 people on Friday, June 20th from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The O’Reilly family was blessed with weather for all to enjoy a complimentary breakfast that served egg bake, donuts and donut holes, bananas, Go-Gurts, and Organic Valley cheese sticks and milk. Again, this year there was ice cream and 240 lbs. of battered fried cheese curds fresh from Ellsworth creamery.
Princess Kay, Rachel Visser, along with Goodhue County dairy princesses and ambassadors welcomed over 200 children from school age day cares and chaperones as they got off the buses. They all received a cow bag with many goodies from local businesses and Midwest Dairy as did others who attended.
There were many activities for kids and adults to enjoy, such as name a calf contest, O’Reilly family bingo, ag cab lab, tours of the farm, Goodhue FFA petting zoo, tractor and farm equipment display, “Annabelle” the cow to be milked, tub train ride for kids, face painting, princess crown making, dairy tattoos, and butter making. New this year was a bounce house, cow bell hunt in a sand pile that kids could redeem for a prize, balloon breeding gloves, live musical entertainment by “Sing Out Loud”! from Rochester and area music students studying under Mark Weorpel and Goodhue County Sherriff’s table with information and give aways.
The winners of the Name the Calf contest are; Bull calf (boy) – “Tofu” by Rowan Larson. Heifer calf (girl) – “Mrs. Curds” by Sandy Christensen. Bingo winner – Allison Lubann
As generations have less exposure and connections to dairy farms, Breakfast on the Farm is a great opportunity to share with the public how the local dairy industry works and contributes to the local economy and way of life. Events like this provide visitors with the opportunity to get a first-hand look at where their dairy products come from, and how dairy farmers care for their cows and land.
The Goodhue County Breakfast on the Farm was sponsored by local businesses, Goodhue County dairy farmers and Goodhue County American Dairy Association, Organic Valley and KCUE Radio. It is a unique day that bridges educational outreach, farming, and cultivates a sense of belonging between the dairy industry and consumers.
“Thank you” to the O’Reilly family and extended family for showcasing their farm for another successful breakfast!
