FAIRLEA, W.Va. — An event involving dairy cows at the State Fair in Greenbrier County is gaining popularity among families this week.
The state Department of Agriculture oversees the Dairy Birthing Center on the fair grounds where kids can learn to milk a cow and see how the animals are born.
“Everybody can try to milk a cow and we have an interactive spin wheel where we ask some dairy questions and they can try to win some prizes,” said Department of Ag Program Manager Rachel Shockey.
Remington Perkins owns of Perk Farm Organic Dairy in Frankford. He’s been bringing his cows to the fair for the past 11 years, minus 2020 due the COVID-19 shutdown.
“It’s time to spend with our family and educating other people’s families,” Perkins said. “We tell people what’s going on as the cows are having the calf and answer any questions they have about the process.”
Perkins said they try to make the Dairy Birthing Center a hands-on experience to eliminate any fears kids might have about large animals.
“For a $1 they get a handful of cow candy,” he said. “They can walk around and feed the cows. It gets them really close to them and takes the edge off of a big scary cow when it sticks its tongue out.”
The goal is to educate people about where their food comes from, Perkins said.
“Telling them where the milk, cheese and butter comes and all the good products that are made from milk that a lot of people, especially younger generations, don’t realize,” he said.
State Agricultural Commissioner Kent Leonhardt agreed and said all of their events at the State Fair are aimed at informing the public about the state’s plants and livestock.
“Everybody takes for granted eating and the State Fair is one way we can start to educate the consumer on what’s healthy and what’s not, but at the same time have some fun,” Leonhardt said.
To learn more about agricultural programs at the fair this year, CLICK HERE.
The State Fair runs through Saturday.