The fun at the North Dakota State Fair isn't all about the rides on the midway. A particular demonstration in the livestock area affords fairgoers the opportunity to pull up their sleeves and experience what it's like to be a dairy farmer.
Animal Specialties of Lowell, Ark., runs the milk-a-cow event. According to owner Connie Boger, Animal Specialties has traveled to state fairs for 20 years doing events like this. They were at the state fair in Florida in February before stopping at the North Dakota State Fair.
When asked why her company puts on these demonstrations, Boger said, "I do it to get people into ag education. The best way to do that is through a hands on activity like this. It's an activity that should be on everyone's bucket list."
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Austin Erickson/MDN • Two-year-old Ryder has fun milking a cow while sitting on Animal Specialties owner Connie Boger’s lap.
The first person to approach Elsie, a brown Swiss cow, was a two-year-old named Ryder. Boger convinced little Ryder to sit on her knee while milking Elsie.
"This is where milk comes from. It comes from here and not from Walmart," Boger explained while Ryder wached Elsie's milk fall into a bucket.
Ryder won a sticker, as did everyone who participated in the activity.
After he was done extracting milk from Elsie's udder he was asked if he wanted to drink any of the milk. "NO!" he exclaimed. "It's stinky."
All people attending the State Fair are encouraged to experience what it's like to milk a cow. Demonstrations will be at noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m., at Stage 5 every day of the fair.