When was the last time you visited a farm? Earlier this year I worked with the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) to develop a virtual tour of my family’s farm in Chippewa Falls. On the tour you will learn how farmers take care of their animals, different occupations that work with dairy farmers, and about the delicious, nutritious products dairy farmers work so hard to produce. This virtual farm tour showcases the devotion dairy farmers have for the land and animals they tend to. 

Dairy farm tours provide an opportunity for people to get hands-on experience and to receive information right from farmers.  Visiting farms is also a great way for consumers to build trust in Wisconsin dairy farmers, dairy farming methods and dairy products. As consumers, we want to know more about food and where it comes from. The farm tour video is the perfect way for viewers to get to know a dairy farming family and see the devotion that goes into producing dairy products. 

With many schools still being held virtually and teachers looking for online material, the Alice in Dairyland virtual farm tour is a great resource. Many youth, on average, are five generations removed from a family farm. The tour provides an opportunity to share the story of our dairy industry from the comfort of your own home! This video farm tour is a great way for students to learn about Wisconsin agriculture and experience it for themselves.

Each year, 90,000 fourth grade students study Wisconsin history as part of their Social Studies curriculum. During this unit, they learn about dairy heritage, careers and economic impact of the dairy industry. Agriculture in Wisconsin is important:  it contributes nearly $105 billion to our state’s economy and provides over 435,000 jobs. The dairy industry alone has a $45.6 billion impact in Wisconsin. Not only does the dairy industry positively impact Wisconsin’s economy; dairy farmers are also leaders in developing strategies to protect our soil and water. Dairy farmers are making strides in reducing the environmental impact of producing a gallon of milk. Today, the dairy industry uses 30% less water, 21% less land, and 19% smaller carbon footprint than it did in 2007. 

This virtual farm tour would not be possible without support from the Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW), is a non-profit organization funded entirely by Wisconsin’s dairy farm families. The organization strives to increase the sale and consumption of Wisconsin milk and dairy products. Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW) is a key financial and dairy content partner to the Alice in Dairyland program run by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).   

Thanks to DFW’s partnership, I am excited to share my family’s farm with you through this virtual tour. Growing up and working on a dairy farm is why I care so much about agriculture and work to share the stories of farmers across Wisconsin. I hope you enjoy learning more about Wisconsin’s signature dairy industry!

Find the full farm tour video at www.wisconsindairy.org/farm-tour.

Teachers and parents can also find additional dairy education materials on the DFW website at www.wisconsindairy.org. Bring Alice in Dairyland and the Virtual Farm Tour into your classroom virtually! Invite Alice at AliceInDairyland.com.

—  Julia Nunes is the 73rd Alice in Dairyland, Wisconsin’s agriculture ambassador who works with media professionals to educate consumers about the importance of agriculture to Wisconsin’s economy and way of life. She can be reached at julia.nunes@wisconsin.gov.