The 2018 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, will take place Thursday, Aug. 2 – Sunday, Aug. 12. The fair offers a unique experience to all who attend. There are 30 free entertainment stages, exciting rides and games in SpinCity, endless family activities, events, contests, vendors and culinary delights and thousands of animals.
One of the many animal exhibits and educational opportunities to visit at the Wisconsin State Fair is the House of Moo. The House of Moo is put on by the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotions board.
The House of Moo, is located in the dairy barn. It is a hands-on, dairy education center that builds public awareness of Wisconsin’s $43.4 billion dairy industry. The exhibit reaches nearly 200,000 fairgoers annually. One of the most loved aspects of the House of Moo is the daily milk demonstrations. These demonstrations are held four times a day at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm and 5 pm at the Wisconsin State Fair Milking Parlor. Along with dairy cattle milking demonstrations this year dairy goats will be added into the mix as Wisconsin ranks number one in the nation for dairy goat production.
“The House of Moo is also becoming the House of Baa this year with the addition of dairy goats,” said Nicole Barlass a Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotions Board Committee Member.” Fair attendees will have the opportunity to have hands on learning experiences with the cattle and goats this year and watch both animals milking demonstrations everyday.”
Today the average consumer and fair goer is three to four generations removed from agriculture so to have an experience like this at the Wisconsin State Fair can expose attendees to the agriculture and the dairy industry potentialy for the first time. To help educate the public in the House of Moo there are trained “Cow Experts” that volunteer everyday. These volunteers range from leaders in the dairy industry to local 4-H and FFA chapters doing their part to promote Wisconsin dairy.
“We train our volunteers to be prepared for the many trending issues they may be asked while in the House of Moo such as antibiotics, organic vs. conventional farming and animal welfare,” said Barlass.
The House of Moo should be on every fair attendees list to visit at this year’s Wisconsin State Fair. While there immerse in the dairy education and don’t be afraid to ask questions to better connect with the people who work in the dairy industry everyday. Then if you are hungry after learning about dairy in the House of Moo, the Dairy Promotions board urges everyone to go to The Real Wisconsin Cheese Grill. This is located in the Wisconsin Products Pavilion and features grilled cheese sandwiches made with real, Wisconsin Cheddar or Swiss.
For more information on the House of Moo or the Wisconsin State Fair visit, http://wistatefair.com
