Ag education thrives at Fair Oaks Farms

By Andi Anderson

The Lake States Dairy Center in Indiana, known for its commitment to sustainable agriculture and educational outreach, is receiving a significant boost.

Seven Farm Credit System institutions are collectively contributing $2.7 million over the next five years to support the center’s efforts in educating the public about agriculture, livestock, and food production at Fair Oaks Farms.

The contributing institutions include AgCountry Farm Credit Services, American AgCredit, CoBank, Compeer Financial, Farm Credit Mid-America, Farm Credit Services of America, and Greenstone Farm Credit Services.

This funding will help the Lake States Dairy Center enhance its educational facilities and develop new exhibits focused on food safety, animal welfare, environmental stewardship, nutrition, employee care, and community engagement.

“Visitors to the Lake States Dairy Center have the opportunity to explore full-scale operating farms, engage with industry-partnered educational curriculum, and interact with trained facilitators,” shared Mike McCloskey, chairman of Fair Oaks Farms.

The new exhibits will allow visitors to learn about modern agricultural practices and the future of sustainable food production.

Founded in 2004, the Lake States Dairy Center attracts around 100,000 visitors each year. As a not-for-profit entity partnered with Fair Oaks Farms, it focuses on agritourism and educating the public on sustainable, innovative agricultural practices.

Through hands-on experiences and interactive exhibits, visitors gain insight into how the dairy industry impacts their daily lives.

The Farm Credit System is a network of lending cooperatives that has supported rural communities and farmers with reliable financial services for over a century. Through this investment, Farm Credit System partners aim to enhance public understanding of agriculture and reinforce the importance of responsible dairy production.

As Derrick Waggoner from Farm Credit Mid-America noted, “This investment aligns with our commitment to support initiatives that broaden the public’s understanding of agriculture and the important role it plays in our lives.”

The contributions from Farm Credit partners underscore their dedication to ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture, supporting rural communities, and promoting knowledge of modern farming practices.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-vwalakte