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GAINESVILLE, Fla. — North Florida residents are invited to tour a working dairy farm and learn about University of Florida research at Family Day at the Dairy Farm, held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at UF’s dairy farm in Hague.

The free event, sponsored by UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences with support from Florida Dairy Farmers, includes an opportunity to watch cows being milked and fed, visit free-stall barns, pet a calf, see farm equipment, sample dairy products and talk with UF scientists about ongoing research to improve cow health and milk production.

Organizers hope to give visitors a better understanding of dairy production and the importance of agriculture to Florida’s economy, said Albert De Vries, an associate professor with UF’s animal sciences department.

“We’ve designed an event that’s both educational and fun,” De Vries said. “Our farm constantly receives requests for tours. This is a great opportunity for the whole community to come on out and see how the University of Florida helps Florida dairy farmers provide the milk you enjoy every day.”

For the health and comfort of the UF dairy herd, pets are not allowed at the event, De Vries said.

For directions to the UF dairy farm and other information, visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/IfasEvents/

Contacts

Writer: Tom Nordlie, 352-273-3567, tnordlie@ufl.edu

Source: Albert De Vries, 352-392-5594, ext. 227, devries@ufl.edu

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Albert De Vries, an associate professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, is one of the organizers of Family Day at the Dairy Farm, an open house event held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 at UF’s dairy farm in Hague.

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