It’s a dairy kind of day in Maricopa

Arizona’s Annual Dairy Day took place Thursday at Milky Way Dairy Farm in Maricopa. Dairy Day offers a place for dairy / agricultural vendors and dairy farmers alike to gather and learn about new technology, products and exciting things going on in the dairy world. Dairy Day also offers a place to simply have a “good, old-fashioned time.”

Dairy Day, which is sponsored by Arizona Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona, hasn’t always been at the obvious place, a dairy farm. “It has been many years since Dairy Day has been at a dairy,” noted Scott Blevins, co-owner of Dairyland Milk Company (see related story). “In the past the day was spent at the state fair grounds. This change to bring it to a physical dairy will help give the public a true appreciation of our local dairy businesses.”

Arizona’s annual Dairy Day was held at Milky Way Dairy.

Milky Way Dairy employees enjoying the atmosphere of Dairy Day.

Dale Sandberg (left) and Dave Debold, a veteran of Dairy Days.

A veteran of Dairy Day, Dave Debold, with Bingham Equipment Dealers, has attended for many years. “I’ve been coming for 20 years,” states Debold. “It used to be held in Chandler, and a few years ago they moved it to Maricopa.”

Many vendors enjoy Arizona’s Annual Day because it gives them a chance to show off their products to a bigger crowd. “This is a good opportunity for a small company like ours,” comments Richard Harrington with Midland Bioproducts, “to come to events like these since we are unable to visit every farm.” In fact, Harrington travels from Boone, Iowa, to attend Arizona’s Annual Dairy Day.

Richard Harrington traveled all the way from Boone, Iowa.

Vendor tractors on display.

Aren and Ingrid Van-Hoffwegen have a dairy farm in Tolleson.

He’s not the only person who did some traveling to Dairy Day. Perched atop a tractor is Doug Westmrelend from Pearl Valley, California. When asked what brought him to Dairy Day: “I was out,” says Westmrelend, “and just ended up here.”

While there were many traveling to Dairy Day, there were also local dairy farmers, coming to see the new products and enjoy the day with family. Ingrid and Aren Van-Hoffwegen are part of a dairy family in Tolleson. “Collecting gadgets,” Aren says, “and seeing the tractors” are what he enjoys about Dairy Day. While some are busy looking at tractors and loading up on what the vendors have to offer, others are inside the barn, smelling and anticipating the barbeque lunch that has been set up and provided by Farm Credit Services Southwest .

The food crew, Mack McKeon, Fred and Carolyn Hoffmeyer, all Farm Credit Services retirees.

Aine Boyle danced and played with lots of ice cubes.

Tatum Hogenes enjoying the dairy decor.

That is where Aine Boyle, from Boyle Dairy Farm in Mesa, was found. Aine, who is about a year old, was dancing away with family to the country music playing in the background. While Aine danced, Tatum Hogenes, with Hogenes Dairy, eyed the barbeque that was just about ready, as well as the dairy-inspired decorations.

Milky Way Dairy was the perfect setting for a successful day. Happy vendors, happy dairy farmers, great music and scrumptious food were all in abundance. Arizona’s Annual Dairy Day provided a great venue for both dairy farmers and vendors to come together and celebrate the Dairy Industry.