At the State Fair of Virginia, guests can trace a glass of milk, or a bowl of ice cream, back to the source and meet the farmers and animals behind some of their favorite products.
While the number of Virginia dairy farms has declined over the years, milk and dairy products remain an important economic driver—ranking 6th among the commonwealth’s top commodities and accounting for $345.6 million in cash receipts last year. According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, Virginia has around 360 dairy farms, producing roughly 1.4 billion pounds of milk, or around 170 million gallons.
“The State Fair celebrates all things Virginia agriculture and dairy is an important part of that story,” said Glenn Martin, the fair’s director of livestock and equine events.
Fairgoers are treated to a behind-the-scenes look at dairy farming in the SouthLand Dairy Farmer Center in Harvest Landing, where live milking demonstrations run daily at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Fairgoers can watch cows being milked, learn how fluid milk is processed and hear about modern dairy farm practices like robotic milking.
“We’re able to put nutrition and education right in front of people,” said Megan Day, SouthLand Dairy Farmers’ mobile dairy classroom instructor. Day said she enjoys building connections between consumers and the farmers who work “365 days a year to put milk on the table, cheese and yogurt in the fridge, and ice cream in the freezer.
“It always surprises people when you tell them this cow can make 6 gallons of milk a day, and that it only takes 48 hours for milk to go from the farm to the store,” she said.
Visitors can even try their hand at milking a cow themselves, a “very popular” activity, Martin added.
Dairy goats have their own spotlight during the fair’s Back Porch in the Garden educational sessions. Located beside the Horticulture Tent, instructors introduce visitors to the animals and explain how goat milk is used to make soap, cheese and more.
The fair’s culinary contests put dairy front and center on the plate. On Sept. 27, the second annual Milkshakes of Champions, presented by SouthLand Dairy Farmers, drew contestants who put their own creative spin on the classic treat, including a pumpkin cheesecake rendition. On Sept. 30, a charcuterie board contest highlighted cheese and other dairy products alongside a variety of Virginia-made products.
And over at the fair’s Livestock Loop, exhibitors showcased their dairy cattle and goats during 4-H, FFA and youth contests. Martin said the fair has seen “a good turnout” for dairy competitions this year, including 80 junior and 139 senior competitors in the Dairyman’s Contest.
“Fairgoers can walk through the barns and learn about dairy farming and the different breeds,” like Holsteins, Jerseys, Brown Swiss, Guernseys and Ayrshires, Martin said. He hopes families visiting and taking in the fair’s many educational exhibits will generate more interest in Virginia dairy.
“From youth dairy cow competitions to milking demonstrations and talking with our dairymen and women, the fair is a great opportunity to give fairgoers a closer look at the industry,” Martin said.
