WIOTA — Cottonwood Dairy Farms in Wiota will host the 43rd Lafayette County Dairy Breakfast from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 8 for the second time.
Cottonwood Dairy boasts 1,800 Holstein dairy cows along with 500 calves housed one mile from the dairy. The last time the farm hosted the breakfast was in 2000, shortly after the dairy opened.
The families of Randy and Tammy Larson, Brian and Kaye Larson and Jim and Laurene Winn own and operate the farm just outside of Wiota. All longtime dairy farm families, the farm started operation in 1998 and they have grown a lot over the past 21 years. In addition to the cattle, they farm 2,350 acres to provide forages to feed the cows.
Those attending the farm will be able to see the double 20-milking parlor and walk through the barns to see first hand the pride they take with. Pride from the farm comes in the form of cow comfort and animal care.
In 2013, Cottonwood Dairy, along with Darlington Ridge Farm, Highway Dairy and Redrock View Farm, created Day at the Dairy, an annual event that allows fourth graders from area schools in Lafayette and surrounding counties to visit the farm.
The event focuses on promoting a positive look at all things that occur on a dairy farm, from soil/water conservation to marketing the final dairy products like cheese milk and yogurt, to name a few.
Since many youngsters are several generations removed from the farm, it is important to all participating farms to stress to students the significance the agriculture industry has on their lives. In Lafayette County, agriculture provides 4,114 jobs and accounts for $1.3 billion in economic activity.
Breakfast goers will be able to eat a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs with diced ham and cheese, sausage, donuts, pudding, coffee, orange juice and, of course, milk and ice cream. There will be several varieties of cheese from local cheese factories.
There will also be other activities for people of all ages including live music, pedal pulls, petting zoos, door prizes and a children’s corner.
Parking will be in the hay field just southwest of the dairy, weather permitting. There will be shuttles to and from the parking places.
Along with free parking at the dairy breakfast site, a shuttle bus will run from the Black Hawk High School in South Wayne on the hour starting at 6:30 a.m.