Families visiting last year's Chenango County Dairy Day. This year’s Dairy Day and Open Farm Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18, with activities at the Chenango County Fairgrounds and participating farms throughout the county. (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — Join the fun this Saturday, during Dairy Day and Open Farm Day celebration, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 18.

Dairy Day activities will be held at the Chenango County Fairgrounds, located at 168 East Main St. in Norwich, and participating Open Farm Day farms, located throughout the county, will be ready to share farming techniques.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Executive Director Craig Brown said this year’s combined Open Farm Day and Dairy Day is all about connecting the community with the incredible agricultural roots of Chenango County.

“CCE staff will be stationed at farm stops county-wide to capture photos, stamp your passports, and help answer questions about local farming practices,” said Brown.

“We're also excited to shine a light on Mid York Distributors, owned and operated by Edna Haas, based right here in Sherburne,” he said. “They offer a fantastic range of livestock feeding and handling equipment for producers across the region.”

“Over at the fairgrounds, at Dairy Day, the fun continues with CCE staff and volunteers giving away free milk, hosting youth activities, and handing out exclusive goodie bags to the first few hundred residents who visit two or more farms,” he said.

Make sure and hit at least three farms and turn in your passport at Dairy Day to enter a chance to win one of three massive raffle baskets overflowing with local products from participating vendors, explained Brown.

Chenango County Dairy Day Leader Terry Ives said Dairy Day is a planned and educational fun-filled family day with a variety of activities.

Join the fun with a pedal tractor pull, cheese-making demonstration, petting zoo, hay bale maze, duck derby, FFA fresh-squeezed lemonade, farm Olympics, milk and ice cream giveaways, and a cow-milking contest.

Dairy Day Organizer Marge Davis said the free event is run completely on donations and volunteers and brings awareness to the public about where food comes from and where milk comes from.

Eight Chenango County farms are thrilled to be part of Open Farm Day and look forward to meeting visitors throughout the event.

They will offer a variety of agricultural products such as maple sugar samples, you-pick or purchase lavender bundles, you-pick blueberries, organically raised meats and produce, along with locally made products, handmade soaps, cleaning supplies, wagon rides and more.

Open Farm Day locations to visit:

Berry Brae Farm, owners Ken and Sarah Jensen, located at 1191 County Road 10 in Pharsalia.

Ryan’s Yak Farm, owners Elizabeth and Craig Ryan, located at 368 Kilroy Road in Oxford.

Hillcrest Lavender Farm, owners Eric and Kathy Turner, located at 239 Stone House Road in Sherburne.

Penwingle Farm, owners Jennifer and Curtis Caci, located at 167 Joslyn Road in Guilford.

Fox Trail Farm, owners Kirsten and Dustin Spear, located at 776 County Route 42 in South Otselic.

Cooks Maple Products, owners Kim and Chris Cook, located at 247 County Road 20 in Sherburne.

Gillette’s Maple Products and Farm, owners Guy and Wendy Gillette, located at 747 County Road 23 in Sherburne.

Mid York Distributors, owner Edna Haas, located at 273 State Highway 12B in Sherburne.

The Chenango County Historical Society and Museum will be participating in Open Farm Day again this year and will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., located at 45 Rexford St. in Norwich.