Farm City Day is Aug. 9

The UW-River Falls Mann Valley Lab Farm will host the 27th Farm City Day Saturday, Aug. 9. The annual event is an opportunity for families to visit a dairy farm for a day and have guided tours through the fields and barn at the Mann Valley Lab Farm. Participants will see dairy cattle, beef, sheep and swine at the farm.

The Lab Farm features the recently completed Dairy Learning Center. This is an educational and research dairy center. Participants will see how cows are milked and housed and what they are fed. A unique feature of the Dairy Learning Center is the dairy cows are housed in a compost barn.

Cattle and livestock are managed in confinement housing and grazing systems on the farm. Participants will see research trials being conducted using these systems.

The crop tour will feature the various crops commonly grown in St. Croix County and the machinery used to produce the crops. The Mann Valley Lab Farm also uses irrigation to produce a portion of the feed needed for the cattle and livestock.

There will also be an antique machinery display. A threshing machine and one of the first wire tie hay and straw balers ever made will be in operation.

The petting barnyard is another highlight. There will be a number of farm animals in the barnyard for children to see and touch.

There will also be an exhibit of the quarter scale competition tractors. These are built by the UW-River Falls agriculture engineering students.

Music entertainment will be provided throughout the day and a free lunch and ice cream will be served.

The UW-River Falls Mann Valley Lab Farm is located about 2.5 miles west of River Falls just off County MM on South Glover Road. Watch for signs. Handicapped parking is available.

For more information, contact Lee Milligan at the St. Croix County UW-Extension Office, (715) 684-3301, ext. 5.

Tags: community, riverfalls, lab, farm, tour