The problem

The number of dairy farms in Kentucky is decreasing every year.  That means the number of youth who have the opportunity to learn how to use science and technology on dairy farms to produce milk efficiently is decreasing.

The educational program response

Dare to Dairy is a hands on educational program that was designed to allow 4-H age youth the opportunity to learn about the why we do certain farming practices, how they make our farms more efficient and provide a fun way to learn these lessons.  Science and technology are used daily by dairy farms to make management decisions and many of the practices have a strong science reason for doing it the way we do.

The participants/target audience

This year there were 29 participants in the event held one Saturday in April.  The youth and parents had the opportunity to visit stations set up at Eastern Kentucky University farm and listen to experts in their field talk about, demonstrate and allow the youth the opportunity to try some of the activities themselves.

Other partners (if applicable)

This program is a partnership between the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Eastern Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, the Kentucky Dairy Development Council and Altech.

Program impact or participant response.

The youth and parents really enjoy the hands on activities provided by this event.  They get to see how the science and facts they have been learning apply to a real on farm situation.  All the participants were excited about their experiences and participated in the hand on activities.  Many plan to use some of these things in the future.