Families and the public are invited to attend the Dairy Month celebration from 6 a.m. – 11 a.m. June 25 at the ISU Dairy Farm, 52470 260th St.

The event will have guided tours of the milking parlor and cow and calving barns, an agricultural discovery center for children and free dairy samples — courtesy of Iowa dairy producers — for the entire duration.

Leo Timms, main event coordinator, is excited to give community members the chance to learn more about the modern dairy farm and practices.

“Our role is to educate people about the role of dairy in the state,” Timms said. “We’re opening the doors, taking people on tours, showing them where food comes from, the role of dairy and [Iowa State’s] involvement [with dairy].”

The 2009 event had a turnout of 1,200 attendees. Timms hopes this year’s function will have even more participants.

Sponsors of the dairy celebration include the Midwest Dairy Association, Iowa State Dairy Association, Iowa State and ISU Dairy Farm. The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers is also assisting with the event.  

Timms said the main goal of the celebration is to educate community members about dairy practices, nutrition and the safety of dairy products. The guided tours have proved to be a great outlet for educational inquiries, with all sorts of questions being asked by participants.

“We let them ask any question they want and it’s just amazing what kids and adults ask,” he said. “We’re open. Come see us. Come ask the questions you want. Let’s learn together.”

For more information on the event, check out http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/releases/866/.