Visit WMMB at Farm Technology Days in Brown County
Byline: Roger Buresh, WMMB District 10 (Brown, Kewaunee and Door Counties)

While June Dairy Month has technically come to a close, activities that celebrate the importance of agriculture continue throughout the summer and fall in America's Dairyland. Just around the corner is Farm Technology Days (FTD), the largest outdoor agricultural show in Wisconsin. Since it began as Farm Progress Days in 1954, the event has grown tremendously over the years as host counties throughout the state highlight the innovations and technologies which allows Wisconsin producers to stay at the leading edge of agricultural development.

The 2008 show will be held July 15, 16 and 17 at Country Aire Farms in southern Brown County. Budd and Ione Gerrits, along with their sons, Mike and Tom and their families, will serve as the hosts for the annual three-day event.

"Agriculture…a lifestyle, a livelihood" is the theme for the 2008 show, which will feature a variety of activities including over 550 commercial exhibitors, field demonstrations, a lawn and garden area, youth and family living tents, and a heritage tractor display. Of course, the 1,800 cow dairy farm operated by the Gerrits family will also be on display for attendees.

As the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board (WMMB) director representing Brown County, I invite you to stop by the WMMB exhibit in lots 615-616 (across from the Family Living Tent). WMMB directors and staff members will be on hand to share information and answer questions about our latest promotional activities throughout the state and nation. In addition to learning more about the nutrition education activities of the Wisconsin Dairy Council and the new dairy product developments at the University of Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research, you'll also be able to enjoy a sample of great Wisconsin cheese and see why our state continues to lead the nation in cheese production and how the dairy business adds more than $39,000 per minute to our economy.

Brown County has a true mix of the best rural and urban settings in the state. While it is well known as the home of "Titletown USA," it also ranks among the top ten counties in the state for agricultural, milk and dairy products sold. The agriculture industry is an important economic force in Brown County, as it is across all of Wisconsin. Agriculture provides jobs for almost 16,760 county residents and accounts for more than $3 billion in economic activity.

If you want more information about all the activities at this year's Farm Technology Days in Brown County or you need a map to the event, visit the FTD website. Come help celebrate the lifestyle and livelihood of agriculture.

Roger Buresh represents District 10 (Brown, Kewaunee and Door counties) on the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. Roger and his wife, Barb, and their sons, Jeff and Joe, own and operate a 600-cow dairy operation in Luxemburg. In addition, the family also farms 1,100 acres of land.