Announcing the 2022 Breakfast on the Farm event
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EmailJoin us on Saturday, September 24 in Alpena County for a free Breakfast on the Farm event at Risky Endeavor Dairy.
Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) is gearing up for its 41st Breakfast on the Farm (BOTF) event. On Saturday, September 24, the Tolan family in Ossineke, Michigan will be welcoming visitors from near and far to their fifth-generation dairy farm. Rain or shine, the free, family-oriented event will take place from 9 am to 1 pm, with breakfast served until noon. Following the farm-cooked pancake breakfast, visitors will be able to embark on a self-guided walking tour of this modern dairy.
During the tour, BOTF attendees will learn about how farmers care for their animals, protect the environment and produce nutritious food. Visitors will be able to view the milking robots at work throughout the event. After a walk through the freestall barn that houses the milk cows, participants will be invited to hop on a wagon for a short trip to the upper farm where the heifers and calves reside. The tour will conclude with children’s activities and a delicious dairy treat.
About the farm and family
The Tolan’s are progressive and committed to the dairy industry and their family farm which dates back to the 1920s. In the 1970s, Russell and Margaret Tolan and their children, Russ and Ruth, expanded the farm to milk 50 cows in a stanchion barn with a milk pipeline system. In the mid-1980s the herd increased to 80 cows and the family built their first freestall barn. They continued to expand in the 1990s increasing the herd to 125 cows and building their first milking parlor. In 1995, Russ and his wife, Janet, purchased the farm from Russ’ parents and farmed with their children David, Laurie and Amy. The farm expanded again in 2005, doubling the size of the herd, building a larger milking parlor and adding a larger freestall barn. Most recently, in 2019, the Tolan family converted to robotic milking and installed five robots to milk their 300 cows.
Event tickets
Because of generous local and statewide sponsors, BOTF events are free, however tickets are required to eat breakfast. Tickets are available online and at the following area businesses upon request:
Alpena
Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce
Alpena County MSU Extension
Alpena Veterinary Clinic
GreenStone Farm Credit Services
Perch’s IGA
Harrisville
Alcona County MSU Extension
Hillman
Ginop Sales
Ossineke
Chippewa Farm Supply
Ossineke Ace Hardware
Rogers City
Sunrise Gardens and Grains
Since the inaugural event in 2009, nearly 90,000 people have attended a Breakfast on the Farm event. We hope to see you at Risky Endeavor Dairy, located at 11657 Behning Road in Ossineke.
For more information about the Alpena County event, please visit the Breakfast on the Farm website. Questions about the event can be directed to Ashley Kuschel at 586-469-7616 or kuschela@msu.edu or Mary Dunckel at 989-354-9875 or dunckelm@msu.edu.
