Crandall Dairy Farms hosts free Breakfast on the Farm event July 19

Breakfast on the farm is a fun learning opportunity for families of all ages. Crandall Dairy Farms LLC will host this event on July 19 to teach consumers about the farm-to-table process.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Calhoun County Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) will take place on July 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with breakfast served from 9 a.m. till noon. Crandall Dairy Farms LLC, a family-owned and -operated dairy farm located 5 miles from Battle Creek at 22231 North Ave., will host the event.

Crandall Dairy is a Centennial Farm, first established in 1883. Brad and Mark Crandall along with their families are the family’s fifth generation to own and operate the farm. The family milks 280 dairy cows three times daily and produces crops such as alfalfa, corn, soybeans and wheat. Crandall Dairy has received awards at both the state and national level for producing high-quality milk. The farm was honored as the 2011 Michigan State University Dairy Farm of the Year.

The Crandalls pride themselves on the quality of their product.

 Monica Crandall, Brad Crandall’s wife, said. “We want people to know that we truly care about our animals and strive to take care of our land.”

 Attendees at the Calhoun County Breakfast on the Farm will enjoy a free pancake and sausage breakfast, before setting off on a self-guided walking farm tour featuring numerous educational exhibits hosted by local farmer volunteers. There will be a chance to see a milking parlor, baby calves and various farm equipment including tractors. Volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions and share their expertise about farming.

 The Crandalls believe this event is a great opportunity to teach others about agriculture.

 “It is important to open our doors; this is an opportunity to teach consumers about farm life,” Monica Crandall said. “Most people nowadays are two to three generations removed from the farm. If you are not around something you are unable to have the knowledge about it.”

 This event is free to the public, but tickets are required to eat breakfast. Free tickets can be obtained from the following businesses after June 19:

Albion: Albion District Library

Battle Creek: Battle Creek Farm Bureau; Beadle Lake Large Animal Clinic; Calhoun County Visitor’s Bureau*; Continental Pastries & Deli; Ferrari’s Main Street Salon; Meyer’s Toy World; Pennfield Charter Township; Pennfield Pizza; Ritzee Hamburgers; Struble’s Hardware

Bellevue: Riverside Café

Charlotte: Eaton Co. MSU Extension

Climax: Battle Creek Farm Bureau

East Leroy: Station 66

Eaton Rapids: ACE Hardware & Lumber

Hastings: Barry Co. MSU Extension; County Seat Lounge; Walldorff Brew Pub & Bistro

Jackson: Jackson Co. MSU Extension

Kalamazoo: Kalamazoo Co. MSU Extension Office

Marshall: Broadway Grille; Calhoun Co. Farm Bureau; Calhoun Co. MSU Extension; Cornwell’s Turkeyville

Olivet: Mary’s Hair Care

Springfield: Springfield Do it Center

Union City: Broadway Grille

 Breakfast on the Farm is a statewide Michigan State University Extension program. More than 200 local volunteers help organize the event. In addition to the Calhoun County Breakfast on the Farm scheduled for July 19, two other breakfast events are planned for 2014:

  • August 16 hosted by De Grins Oer Dairy Farm, Blanchard, Mecosta County
  • September 6 hosted by Uphaus Farms, Manchester, Washtenaw County 

The statewide sponsors for the 2014 Breakfast on the Farm events include the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan and the Michigan Corn Growers Association, Crystal Flash, Dairyland Seed Co., Farm Bureau Insurance, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, the Kroger Company, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, Michigan Wheat Program, Northrop Trucking Inc., Pioneer Brand Products and the United Dairy Industry of Michigan. In addition, the Battle Creek program has received generous support from many local sponsors.

For more information about the Calhoun County Breakfast on the Farm or other BOTF events, visit www.breakfastonthefarm.com, or contact Ashley Kuschel at kuschela@anr.msu.edu or Nancy Thelen at thelenn@anr.msu.edu.

To find out more about Crandall Dairy, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Crandall-Family-Dairy/131755530226203.

 

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