The 100 percent farmer-owned cooperative that makes Borden Cheese has launched its Friends of Elsie Tour, a hands-on exhibit that brings the farm to families through local dairy farmers, on-farm activities and a live country music experience. People may meet dairy farm families and take part in activities such as, a cow portable milking machine, a cow-to-person height comparison chart, samples of cow feed and an interactive farm game. Information is also available to help consumers understand different types of cheese and butter. Tour stops include community events and state fairs.
“People have a growing interest of where their food comes from,” says Janine Smiley, spokeswoman for the Friends of Elsie Tour. “The tour delivers an edutainment experience, and introduces the multigenerational farm families that are committed to their land and animals and producing high-quality dairy products.”
Country musician Easton Hamlin joins the tour as a Friend of Elsie. Hamlin, a 14 year-old rising star, performs original songs live at the Friends of Elsie exhibit area several times throughout each event. Hamlin’s song “Thirty Miles From Nowhere” was selected by the Cooperative as the theme song for the Cooperative’s Annual Meeting where he performed it for more than 1,000 dairy farmers. In support of his music and the Friends of Elsie Tour, he is also appearing on local country radio stations and TV shows singing songs from his current release.
“I’m extremely proud to sing and speak on behalf of Borden Cheese and dairy farmers across this great country,” says Easton Hamlin, country musician. “The farm life is something that I grew up around, and sharing my experiences through my music has been a lot of fun on this tour,” adds Hamlin.
Upcoming Friends of Elsie Tour stops
Oklahoma State Fair
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
South Carolina State Fair
Columbia, South Carolina
North Carolina State Fair
Raleigh, North Carolina
Visit www.FriendsOfElsie.com to learn more about the Friends of Elsie Tour and what it means to be a Friend of Elsie. Or, become a fan of Friends of Elsie on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. PD
—From Borden Cheese news release
