Dairy Ambassador Callie Curley serves up ice cream during Susquehanna County Dairy Day held Friday at the Elk Lake High School. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON
BY STACI WILSON
Susquehanna County residents got back to their agricultural roots Friday during Dairy Day held at Elk Lake High School.
Penn State Cooperative Extension educator Michelle Kowalewski and Dairy Day coordinator said the event helps to bring farmers up to date on new products available in the agricultural industry.
Kowalewski said 72 exhibitors participated in this year’s Dairy Day, along with 13 community and health organizations.
“It’s also an educational opportunity,” she said. Programs on nutrient management, farm safety and Marcellus Shale issues were offered.
“We try to focus on current issues that affect the county,” Kowalewski added.
Tim Sutherland, of AgChoice, a financial service company said many farmers were stopping by his company’s booth had questions about financial planning.
“It’s an overwhelming phenomenon that is taking place,” Sutherland said, “and there is a lot of planning that goes into it.
Sutherland said, “For most farmers, the money is still just a promise.” But he warns farmers not to wait until checks start coming in before making financial decisions.
Mike Hubbard, a Dimock resident who also works for AgChoice, said he is seeing a lot of farmers want to build and update equipment on their farms.
“It’s nice to see them get back to farming for the fun of it and not because they have to do it,” Hubbard said of the Marcellus Shale monies now coming to some locals.
Dairy Day also gives elected officials the opportunity to meet with constituents.
110th District Rep. Tina Pickett said the event allows her to have a one-on-one meeting with the Susquehanna County Farm Bureau to go over their legislative points, concerns and requests.
She said, “I get to talk with people from all aspects of the agriculture business here. It’s a business day for me.”
Business isn’t the only thing that brings people to the annual event though.
Some said they come for the free ice cream served up by members of the Susquehanna County Dairy Court.
Winston Wright, a dairy farmer from East Rush, helped judge the pie contest at Susquehanna County Dairy Day. STAFF PHOTO/STACI WILSON
Others come for the pie.
Tom Chamberlain, of New Milford, said he has been coming to Dairy Day for years and, prior to his retirement, had a booth for his insurance agency each year.
Chamberlain said, “I came over today to see some old acquaintances and maybe buy a pie.” His choice: Peanut Butter.
Dairy Day culminates with a pie contest followed by an auction.
Todd Greenwood purchased a winning Lemon Cream pie, made by Anne Teel.
Greenwood said he bought it because it was lemon and “made by my good friend Anne Teel. And (the money) goes back to 4-H.”
An Oreo Cream pie, made by Vicki Clark, fetched $200 making it the highest priced pie of the day. The pie was purchased by Clark’s grandfather, Norm Clark.
Pie contest winners included: Adult division: Cindy Holdridge, Cherry; Sheri Minarsky, Mile High Peanut Butter Brownie; and Anne Teel, Lemon Cream.
Youth division winners were: Olivia Mitchell, Raspberry Cheesecake; Callie Curley, Blackberry; and Graysyn Bushnell, Cookies and Cream.
Proceeds from the event benefit Susquehanna County 4-H and Dairy Princess and Promotions Program.
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