The Dairy Bar Building and its concession at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron, South Dakota, may be the most noticeable part of the dairy industry’s influence there. But look around and it’s easy to see dairy in numerous places. At the concession, Midwest Dairy Association contracts with Habitat for Humanity to serve more than 5,000 milk shakes, 200 gallons of ice cream and 800 gallons of all-you-can-drink milk on behalf of the state’s dairy farmers.

At other spots in the Dairy Bar Building, educational opportunities are apparent. Last year the Wolsey-Wessington FFA Chapter built an innovative educational display to help promote dairy to consumers. The mini-barn project expanded its members’ experiential learning while providing a backdrop for a video presentation that engages kids.

Nearby, fairgoers can also use a kiosk to access Butter-fy Yourself, a Facebook application that lets them turn one of their favorite Facebook profile photos into a photo of one of six butter sculpture personalities. They can also use the image to send a virtual postcard from the South Dakota State Fair.

The Dairy Bar Building is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day during the fair.

“State Fair is a great time and place to showcase the People Behind the Product,” said Roger Scheibe, who manages Midwest Dairy’s involvement at the Fair. “Strong support comes from the dairy farm families as they show up to enjoy and promote their industry and talk to consumers about modern dairy farm practices.”

Local dairy farmer Marie Harvey of Ree Heights will demonstrate how to make “Cashew Chicken Dip” and hand out free recipe books and information on flavored milk at noon on Sept. 2 in the Women’s Building.

Midwest Dairy is also participating in the fair’s Value-Added Day on Thursday, Sept. 1, in a tent next to the Freedom Stage. Samples of Land O’Lakes’ new fat-free or low-fat, low-sugar chocolate milk will be provided all day.

South Dakota Dairy Princess Natalie Thyen of Waverly will also make appearances at the Wine Pavilion where South Dakota-made cheeses will be sampled each day of the fair, at several award ceremonies and at the dairy shows. PD

—From Midwest Dairy Association news release