13th annual Michigan Dairy Expo begins, provides free family fun

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Cows and tractors will be aplenty on MSU’s campus as two free farming-related expos kick off this week with a number of educational and networking opportunities, event organizers said.

The 13th annual Michigan Dairy Expo began Monday at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, with events geared toward education and livestock exhibition continuing throughout the week. The 30th annual Michigan Agriculture Expo, or Ag Expo, will begin today.

It is the largest annual dairy event in Michigan, featuring more than 500 dairy animals from more than 200 exhibitors, Dairy Expo spokeswoman Celeste Laurent said.

Some of the event’s highlights include the 4-H Dairy Days, a program aimed at allowing youth ranging from ages 5 to 19 showcase their livestock and network with other farmers, and a consumer education day on Wednesday, where more than 5,000 people will get an inside look at the dairy industry, Laurent said.

“From the average consumer standpoint, it’s an opportunity to see where their food products come from,” she said. “From a producer standpoint … the farmers like to get together (and) it’s good for the kids to network.”

The 4-H Dairy Days will run from Monday until Thursday. Later in the week, adult participants will join in and exhibit their dairy livestock.

Laurent said the Dairy Expo is a way for families to enjoy themselves during hard economic times.

“It gives the average family a fun stay-cation,” she said. “It’s free, there’s ice cream (and) kids love to see the animals. Educational, fun, free (events) are hard to come by nowadays.”

Like the Dairy Expo, Ag Expo is aimed at educating the public about Michigan’s agricultural practices and the research associated with it, Ag Expo spokeswoman Laura Probyn said.

The expo is situated on 35 acres of land on the corner of Mount Hope Road and Farm Lane and is free to the public.

“The importance of this event is tied to the fact that MSU is Michigan’s land grant college,” she said. “Our mission is to not only provide education but to do research that benefits people, and then provide outreach to them. (Ag Expo) is really the embodiment of that.”

Among the Ag Expo’s exhibitions will be farm equipment demonstrations and presentations on alternative energy sources, she said.

“It’s just amazing how far we’ve come and how far we’re even going,” she said. “It’s just amazing the way things have changed from (30 years ago) and the way they continue to change at an accelerated rate.”

Chad Fullerton, Saginaw-area manager for AIS Construction Equipment Corporation, said AIS will give event goers the opportunity to drive industrial tractors at Ag Expo.

He said he has been participating in Ag Expo for 11 years.

“(The Ag Expo) is convenient for customers, clients and even the general public to come in and see what’s out there on the market,” he said.

Parking for both events is located in Commuter Lot 89 on Mount Hope Road and is free. A free shuttle service will be available to transport people between the expos.

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