DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire and Granite State Dairy Promotion will host the annual free UNH Open Barn Saturday, June 18, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UNH's Fairchild Dairy Teaching and Research Center.

Free New Hampshire-made milk and ice cream, wagon rides, tours, and visits with the UNH milking cows and calves are highlights of the day's activities. Visitors can try their hands at making butter and ice cream, enjoy games and prizes, and learn surprising facts about dairy nutrition and the dairy industry in New Hampshire.

"We're pleased to partner with Granite State Dairy Promotion to introduce visitors to one 'source' of the dairy products they enjoy every day," says Jon Whitehouse, manager of the Fairchild Dairy Teaching and Research Center.

"The day is designed to be both fun and educational; an opportunity for people to learn where their food comes from, how cows are cared for, and the importance of dairy farming in New Hampshire," says Amy Hall, director of Granite State Dairy Promotion.

According to Granite State Dairy Promotion, New Hampshire's dairy industry affects state and local economies with more than $141 million in total output, 3,717 jobs, and more than $19 million in labor income. Dairy farming also helps support many businesses related to the production of milk such as feed stores, milking equipment suppliers, and tractor dealerships. New Hampshire has lost 699 dairy farms since 1970; an 84% loss. To find out more, visit www.nhdairypromo.org. You also can follow Granite State Dairy Promotion on Facebook.

The Fairchild Dairy Teaching and Research Center, a facility of the NH Agricultural Experiment Station and the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture at UNH, develops new knowledge and management expertise geared to many state and regional stakeholders. It houses about 124 milking-age Holsteins and approximately 70 growing replacement animals. Included in that number are 25 cows managed by undergraduates participating in a course called CREAM (Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management). For more information, go to www.colsa.unh.edu/aes/fairchild.

The UNH Open Barn takes place rain or shine. Directions from Route 4: Take exit for UNH campus. At the end of the ramp, turn right toward campus. Take the first left onto Mast Road Extension, and the next left onto O'Kane Road. Follow that road toward the barns. For questions, contact Granite State Dairy Promotion at (603) 271-3696 or gsdp@comcast.net.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.

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Photographs available to download:
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Caption: The Holsteins at UNH's Fairchild Dairy Research and Teaching Center are eager to meet visitors at the UNH Open Barn June 18, 2011, hosted by UNH and Granite State Dairy Promotion.
Credit: Drew Conroy

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Caption: Enjoy free milk and ice cream, wagon rides, tours, and visits with cows at the annual UNH Open Barn June 18, 2011, hosted by UNH and Granite State Dairy Promotion.Credit: Lisa Nugent, UNH Photographic Services