New York’s Mobile Dairy Experience helps educate communities about modern dairy farming.
Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Willie Nelson isn’t the only one “on the road again.” The New York Animal Agriculture Coalition is also going on the road, spreading the word about dairy — in a 53-foot, double-expandable RV.
“The board had a vision to take the story of New York agriculture to rural locations, urban locations and to people who couldn’t get to the farm,” says Eileen Jensen, executive director of the organization.
She spearheaded the Mobile Dairy Experience, which made its debut at the recent New York State Fair. The coalition parked the vehicle near the Live Dairy Cow Birthing Center, a perfect segue for fairgoers curious about dairy.
Jensen says the coalition consulted with other organizations that are doing similar things to ensure the Mobile Dairy Experience covered all the bases and accomplished the coalition’s mission of educating people about modern farming practices.
The
project cost “six figures,” she says, and was funded by the New York
State Dairy Checkoff; New York Dairy Promotion Order Advisory Board; and
through donations by farmers, agriculture businesses and others that
“believe in our mission to bring the story of milk into communities
throughout the state,” she says.
The RV will also be seen at this year’s Livingston County Farm Fest, Ontario County Fun on the Farm, and will also make stops at a few school districts. The goal for 2025, Jensen says, is to have the RV on the road every week of the year from March through Thanksgiving.
Two staff members will man the vehicle for driving and will serve as on-site educators. Local FFA and 4-H participants will also help provide community engagement at events.
“We believe in building the future of ag and empowering the next generation to be advocates and give them ways to learn and tell their story,” Jensen says. “It gives them an avenue to share and be proud.”
The RV will also be seen at this year’s Livingston County Farm Fest, Ontario County Fun on the Farm, and will also make stops at a few school districts. The goal for 2025, Jensen says, is to have the RV on the road every week of the year from March through Thanksgiving.
Two staff members will man the vehicle for driving and will serve as on-site educators. Local FFA and 4-H participants will also help provide community engagement at events.
“We believe in building the future of ag and empowering the next generation to be advocates and give them ways to learn and tell their story,” Jensen says. “It gives them an avenue to share and be proud.”
YOUTH
INVOLVEMENT: FFA members, such as this FFA member at the New York State
Fair, will help host the Mobile Dairy Experience to educate communities
about dairying.
She hopes the Mobile Dairy Experience will also help educate decision-makers and health care professionals on why dairy is good.
“We need to make an impact,” Jensen says. “We put so much time into it to get it right. It’s not just an idea we put together in a month. We’re excited to have this travel throughout New York state. We have a lot of inquiries, and we’ll have that on the website this fall.”
The Mobile Dairy Experience includes testimonial videos from dairy farms statewide — men and women, organic and conventional, different cow breeds, small and large farms.
The RV also includes areas that explain the basics of raising a dairy cow, machinery and technology used on modern dairies, dairy products, and career opportunities in the industry. Each display area includes educational videos, hands-on activities and engaging displays.
She hopes the Mobile Dairy Experience will also help educate decision-makers and health care professionals on why dairy is good.
“We need to make an impact,” Jensen says. “We put so much time into it to get it right. It’s not just an idea we put together in a month. We’re excited to have this travel throughout New York state. We have a lot of inquiries, and we’ll have that on the website this fall.”
The Mobile Dairy Experience includes testimonial videos from dairy farms statewide — men and women, organic and conventional, different cow breeds, small and large farms.
The RV also includes areas that explain the basics of raising a dairy cow, machinery and technology used on modern dairies, dairy products, and career opportunities in the industry. Each display area includes educational videos, hands-on activities and engaging displays.
HANDS-ON
LEARNING: Interactive educational kiosks help tell the story of New
York’s dairy industry inside the Mobile Dairy Experience.
The “grocery store” at the end of the exhibit showcases dairy items available in grocery stores.
Jensen says the coalition can even tweak messaging to the specific audience the vehicle is visiting.
For more information, visit nyanimalag.org.
Sergeant writes from central New York
The “grocery store” at the end of the exhibit showcases dairy items available in grocery stores.
Jensen says the coalition can even tweak messaging to the specific audience the vehicle is visiting.
For more information, visit nyanimalag.org.
Sergeant writes from central New York
