The seventh annual Dairy Day in Powhatan was held behind Pocahontas Elementary School last Thursday morning. The event, sponsored by the Powhatan Extension Office and the Powhatan Farm Bureau hosted approximately 175 second graders and “hopefully the kids learned that agriculture and the dairy industry are very vital,” said Cathy Howland, Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development. “Dairy farms are still an important part of our lives; it’s where the milk comes from, not from Food Lion.”

Also participating as support groups were the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District representatives, the Powhatan Farm Bureau Women’s Committee, the James River Correction Facility team and numerous 4-H volunteers. Powhatan County Administrator, Carolyn Cios also attended and advertised her support of the programs by sporting her Ice Cream Sundae purse.

To facilitate the learning process the two hour Dairy Day Program was set up in eight staffed stations. Station One was a presentation of the various types of dairy products and their nutritional values. Station Two identified the different types of cows. Station Three followed the processing of milk from the cow to the table. Station Four covered the various types and usages of farm machinery. Station Five, manned by the James River Correction team, offered information of the various types of feed and grains used in the dairy industry and their benefits. James River Correction operates a fairly large dairy farm at their Powhatan facility. Station Six covered the Green aspect of daily farming, including the recycling of cow manure. Station Seven was a proactive “Milk the Cow” demonstration. The youngsters practiced milking techniques on a fake “no kick cow.” At the final station the group had the opportunity to actually make butter.

Normally the second grade class from Powhatan Elementary would also have been a participant, but budget cuts negated any further field trips for Powhatan Elementary this year.

The dairy industry in the County is now limited to just two full time operations. Tommy and Andrea Adkins and Kenneth Hatcher run the lone privately owned dairy farms in the County.

June is National Dairy Month and 4-H is again sponsoring the National Dairy Month poster campaign, according to Cathy Howland.