The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.
Educational sessions about purchasing local beef and cutting steaks will highlight the event. Local beef farmer James Downey and beef processor and retailer, Newton Meats, Inc., will together discuss the ins and outs of buying quarters or halves of beef from your farmer, working with the beef processor to place your order and together answer any questions attendees have along the way. Dave Tredinnick, retail meat cutter at Metcalfe’s Market in Madison, Wisconsin, will provide a hands-on beef cutting demonstration, breaking down primal beef cuts into popular cuts typically found in the supermarket.
“Now, more than ever, consumers are interested in knowing where their food comes from. This spring we have seen increased interest in buying beef directly from local farmers,” said Rosie Lisowe, dairy farmer from Chilton, Wisconsin, and President-Elect of the Wisconsin Beef Council Board of Directors. “This event is intended to showcase Wisconsin’s beef industry, all the way from pasture to plate, and provide a direct connection between consumers and their beef farmers.”
While parents attend the live presentations, kids can stay busy with rides on the cow train, a coloring station, photo booth, ‘beef’ up their muscles with a farm workout and more.
“The beef industry is the third largest agricultural industry in Wisconsin,” said Katie Wade, Program Director at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center. “The Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center is excited to partner with the Wisconsin Beef Council and showcase this $2.1 billion industry to our visitors.”
Event attendance is included with the purchase of admission to the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center for the day. Admission prices are as follows: Adults - $16, Seniors (62+) - $12, Youth (4-18) - $8, and ages 3 and under are free. Attendees can enjoy the Butcher Block Party and explore the many activities and exhibits found within the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, including interactive exhibits, gift shop, and the popular Land O’Lakes Birthing Barn.
More information about the Wisconsin Beef Council can be found at https://www.beeftips.com/, and more information about the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center can be found at https://farmwisconsin.org/. Attendees can keep up-to-date with event information on the event’s Facebook page at https://bit.ly/38yih0p.
The Wisconsin Beef Council is a producer-directed not-for-profit organization funded by the $1.00 per head assessment on all cattle sold in the state of Wisconsin per the Federal Beef Promotion and Research Act & Order. Half of one dollar remains in Wisconsin for local beef promotion, while the other half is forwarded to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. The purpose of the Council is to fund beef promotion, research and consumer education activities supporting Wisconsin’s $2.1 billion beef industry. The WBC operates under the guidance of its Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of representatives from cattle-related organizations around the state of Wisconsin.
The Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art, interactive agricultural education center located in Manitowoc County. Farm Wisconsin connects visitors’ curiosity to the wonder of Wisconsin farming and provides guests with a better understanding of their food sources and their importance. The center features 10,000 square feet of hands-on learning opportunities, a birthing barn where visitors may watch calves being born daily, and an opportunity to tour a local farm to learn about Wisconsin’s rich farm history. The center was named to Time for Kids’ World’s 50 Coolest Places of 2019.
