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With the opening of the Holmes County Fair this year, there were several exciting new additions. In the second year at Harvest Ridge, the new exposition center was completed and with it came the construction of a dairy parlor. Earlier in the year, Holmes County Farm Bureau was approached about contributing money to this new addition. The board decided this was an important investment in the future of Holmes County and decided to contribute a total of $25,000 toward the expenses of the dairy parlor.

The new dairy parlor has six stalls and three milking stations which allows for easy transition of cows and faster milking times. The 4-H members with dairy cattle are excited because the milk is able to be stored appropriately and sold to Holmes Cheese. There are currently 19 cows being milked at the 2017 Holmes County Fair. Cows are milked twice a day and there is a secure viewing area in the parlor for visitors to watch the milking process.

“This is just one more way we can help educate the general public about where their food comes from,” states Kayla Jones, organization director with Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. She went on to say, “Our goal is to give back to the community, benefit the next generation and educate our consumers so they know that we as farmers provide a safe, affordable and abundant food supply. These 4-H and FFA members are our future and it’s our job to invest in their success.”