The second annual Dairyfest was held in Brookings Friday and Saturday. The event is designed to educate the public about the dairy production and processing industry in South Dakota and the region. SDSU Extension Dairy Field Specialist Tracey Erickson says the family event featured a youth carnival with various interactive dairy education stations.

Participants also toured a local dairy operation and the SDSU Davis Dairy Plant. SDSU Dairy Science Department Head Dr. Vikram Mistry says it’s just like a normal commercial processing facility but on a smaller scale.

Erickson says the “Know Your Farmer” Forum was also an opportunity for the public to ask questions about the growth in the region’s dairy industry and the positives economically and environmentally.

She says they also emphasize the practices today’s dairy producers are using to help them be sustainable and good neighbors.