It’s the Year of Dairy …Cow can you miss it?!?

By Jenni Purcell of American Dairy Association of Indiana, Inc.

Yummy grilled cheese sandwiches and creamy milkshakes at the Dairy Bar are always one of the Indiana State fairgoers must stops! This year, the Indiana State Fair celebrates the value of the dairy industry to Hoosiers with the “Year of Dairy Cows.” Each year, since 2007, the Indiana State Fair has highlighted a certain commodity group, like corn, tomatoes and soybeans. This year the feature is dairy cows. Of course this brings many opportunities of cow puns and décor with cow spots.  

For example:

This year’s State Fair will be Moovelous! ... Or how about…You have to try our new milkshake, the lemon chiller, it is Udderly delicious!

But what people might not be aware of is that dairy brings a great economic benefit to Indiana. There are more than 1,500 dairy farms in Indiana housing 176,000 cows.  These dairy farms produce about 3.5 billion pounds of milk, accounting for nearly $500 million in milk production each year. Hoosiers with a sweet tooth will be proud that Indiana ranks second nationally in ice cream production.

It’s Indiana dairy farmers’ time to shine and talk about their nutritious, wholesome product they work so hard to produce – milk. They are dedicated to and passionate about taking care of their animals and the land. 

This year’s fair will be one of the most “action packed” fairs in the event’s 156 year history with more to see and do around the grounds than ever before.  You can go to the fair's website to check out the list of daily events.

Also make sure you take a peek at this State Fair map that shows all the places dairy will be throughout the fairgrounds. The Fair runs from August 3-19 – you Butter not miss it!