Bonnie Ayars, Dairy Program Specialist, Department of Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University
Dairy Palooza is a unique youth program offered every spring. To our knowledge, it is a “one of a kind” opportunity to include quality assurance (QA) training and educational workshops combined in the same day with live cattle included. In fact, this year three states were represented on April 26th at the Canfield fairgrounds and facilities with over 300 in attendance. Our sponsors are generous, and banners of appreciation decorate the main facility. Our registration fees are minimal and yet the rewards include a rope halter, a variety of dairy foods, t-shirts, and plenty of printed material.
The morning focus includes training on the Good Production Practices and also time is spent learning how to author a thank you. After a break for lunch, the afternoon hosts a variety of current workshops with timely information about clipping, fitting and feeding dairy projects, showmanship, basics of care, health, nutrition of heifers and cows, pedigrees, and marketing, plus the science of dairy products. The goal is to spend time reinforcing what is learned in QA and then apply it to the dairy project and the book that will need completion. A special Cloverbuds program is offered with many activities that are relevant for the age group.
Nothing would ever be possible without a corps of volunteers and enthusiasts who keep the day MOOving along and making sure everyone has a place to learn and even experiment.
The day is planned and coordinated by a committee. Input is welcomed and appreciated. For more details on the program, sponsors, and content, please visit www.dairypalooza.com or our FACEBOOK page, Ohio Dairy Palooza.
In 2026, the event returns to the Wayne County Fairgrounds with the same goal of reaching out to dairy youth and sustaining their involvement within the industry.