Small Town News

BC Farms of rural Wykoff to host Dairy Night on the Farm

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"Down on the farm"...

It evokes "tradition, tranquil pastures, grazing cattle, red barns, a farmhouse with kids, dandelions on the back 40, a herd of people, radio frequencies, hamburgers, rib eye sandwiches, malts, princesses and... inflatables."

That will be the scene at B&C Farms during "Dairy Night on the Farm" Saturday, June 26, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. B&C Farms is located at 22067 Orion Road in rural Wykoff.

"We're very diversified; we have dairy cows, beef cattle and crops, " said brothers Bob and Craig Schmidt, whose farming operation has been chosen as - the featured farm for the 2010 Fillmore County American Dairy Association "Dairy Night on the Farm, " which will feature tours of the dairy barn, live broadcasting by KFIL radio, dinner by the ADA, the ADA malt wagon, an appearance by 2010 Fillmore County Dairy Princess Stephanie Drinkall, and inflatable entertainment for the kids.

The ADA chose B&C Farms as the site for "Dairy Night on the Farm" this past February, observing the dedication that makes the operation successful.

Bob and Craig grew up farming, since their father, Loren Schmidt, began milking cows in his own dairy 45 years ago, prompting the pair to become business partners after graduating from high school "about 22 years ago."

Dairy farming was the career they considered natural when venturing into farming. "We grew up milking cows so it's just been a part of our life from the beginning ... we never thought of having any other animals."

Though they share incorporation under the "B&C Farms" name and sell their milk to Land O'Lakes, they don't work the same land.

"We own different pieces of land and have been buying different pieces of land since we've started farming. However, we built our free stall barn and put in a new double 10 parlor in 2008 -- we milk around 200 cows."

They "strive to put out products that are safe for everyone to enjoy, " and are rewarded by "seeing how all our efforts and hard work pay off -- success is a great feeling."

They're pleased to open the doors of their new barn for tours.

"We discussed and decided to be the host farm back in February. Visitors will be able to see the calves, the free stall barn where the cows are housed, and the milking parlor. The ADA pretty much takes care of organizing, booking the items needed, setup and takedown -- it provides a full meal, which includes burgers and rib eye sandwiches that the Fillmore County Cattlemen's Association will be cooking, and the malt wagon will be onsite serving malts.

"Fillmore County Dairy Princess Stephanie Drinkall will be attending, along with some of the dairy ambassadors. KFIL radio will be broadcasting live, and there'll be several inflatables on the site for the children to enjoy. We hope that the people enjoy seeing the animals and how the daily routine of the dairy operation works."

The Fillmore County ADA Board's chairpersons are Kurt and Tracy Raaen, vice chairpersons are Paul and Nicki Schriever, secretaries are Deb Stortz and Annie Erickson, and directors are Dean Stortz, Brian Erickson, Larry and Shari Gartner, Todd and Jill Keune, Shawn Bergey and Tara Shanks.



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© 2011 The Chatfield News Chatfield, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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