Dairy visit offers public farm breakfast experience
By DAILY CHRONICLE
Anyone who would like the unique experience of finding where their food, such as dairy products, comes from can attend this year’s “Dairy Breakfast.”
On Saturday, Dale and Linda Drendel will open their Hampshire farmstead to the general public for a Dairy Breakfast and Farm Tour, an event which is becoming a tradition for them.
“This Saturday morning family activity is meant to be enjoyed by all ages,” said Dale Drendel in a recent news release. “We welcome visitors and hope they see this as an opportunity to learn more about life on the farm.”
One of the highlights of the farm visit is viewing some of the 150 Holstein dairy cows being milked in the milking parlor. The modern parlor accommodates 11 cows at a time and offers viewers an up-close look at the farm’s automation and the transfer of milk from the cow to the bulk tank. Milking demonstrations will occur from 6-8 a.m.
People also have the opportunity to milk a cow by hand, just as farmers did many years ago. The farm visit also offers a tour of the barns to see the young dairy calves and cows. All aspects of dairy production will be shown, from the feed used in the cows’ special diets to the care taken by farmers to assure their animals’ comfort and health.
Also, farm equipment used on the dairy and grain farm will be on display that morning. Visitors will have a chance to see modern tractors and learn more about farm implements.
But most important to some will be the hearty farm-style breakfast, which will be served from 6-11 a.m. The menu will include pancakes, sausage, apple sauce, cheese, milk, coffee and ice cream for a donation of $6 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12, which includes breakfast and the farm visit. Children age 5 and younger won’t have to pay. All proceeds go for dairy education in local schools.
The Dairy Breakfast and Farm Tour is being sponsored by dairymen from DeKalb and Kane counties who are members of the Kishwaukee Dairy Herd Improvement Association. This is the third dairy farm visit planned by the association.
Handicap parking is available at the farm.
If you go
What: Dairy Breakfast and Farm Tour
When: 6-11 a.m. Saturday
Where: 15N057 Walker Road, near Burlington/Hampshire; the farm is three miles north of Plank Road and a half mile south of Route 72.
