Free ice cream and learning at the Great Dairy Adventure

The Great Dairy Adventure, July 19, is a free, family-friendly event where visitors can learn about the Michigan dairy industry and enjoy dairy-related activities and food.

Did you know that Michigan milk can travel from the farm to your table within 48 hours? Learn how at the 2017 Great Dairy Adventure, July 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education in East Lansing. You’ll see how milk journeys from the cow to the kitchen table and sample delicious and nutritious dairy products along the way.

For the past 20 years, the Great Dairy Adventure has been a popular summer activity for local families, providing both free fun and education. In addition, the event is often a field trip favorite for area summer camps and daycares. The entire event is free -- parking, admission and activities. The Great Dairy Adventure is entirely indoors and will be held rain or shine.

At the event, attendees will have the opportunity to try milking a cow, create a variety of craft projects, experiment with dairy recipes, pet baby calves and learn how milk gets from the cow to the grocery store. In addition to the fun hands-on activities and opportunities for youth to learn about the nutritional benefits of dairy, the Great Dairy Adventure will feature giveaways, MSU student athletes and Sparty signing autographs, and samples of dairy foods such as cheese, ice cream and yogurt. After tasting the delicious dairy treats, join other attendees in a Fun Run to illustrate how dairy is part of a healthy lifestyle that includes diet and exercise. Fun Runs will take place at the top of the hour from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

Visitors to the Great Dairy Adventure can also check out the cattle and other exhibits on hand for the Michigan Dairy Expo, which takes place July 17-21. The largest annual dairy event in the state, the Michigan Dairy Expo provides dairy farmers and students from 4-H clubs and FFA chapters across the state an opportunity to exhibit hundreds of cows from various dairy breeds. In addition, youth will take part in a number of educational skills contests throughout the week.

The Great Dairy Adventure is a collaborative program of Michigan State University Extension, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, the MSU Department of Animal Science, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, local farmers and other dairy partners. For more information, please contact Carla McLachlan at 517-432-5402.

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