Dairy project participants board busses to Tennessee for an unforgettable experience
By Jennifer Kneuss
July 18, 2011
355
In spite of the early hour, the 54 Tuscarawas County 4-H members who boarded busses at one oclock in the morning on July 15 were excited to head out on their annual 4-H dairy trip. The busses, of Pioneer Trails of Millersburg, would take them through several states before reaching their Tennessee destination July 15-17.
The trip is made possible by a portion of the proceeds from the annual dairy products auction at the Tuscarawas County Fair, and we are so thankful for that, explained Lorrie Lautzenheiser, one of the trip coordinators. The kids have fun, but they also have the opportunity to learn more about the agricultural industry, particularly milk production.
The first attraction visited by the youth was the Ripleys Aquarium, located just at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. There, teenagers Leanne and Emily Berger were intent on trying to reach into the water at the stingray pool to touch one of the mysterious sea creatures who floated past the hands of visitors.
Ive just got to touch one, said Leanne, the older of the two sisters. Theyre so cool!
The underwater experience was followed by an evening of entertainment as the group headed to the Hatfield & McCoy dinner theater, where they dined on a country dinner while being treated to a variety show with plenty of foot stomping music and amazing dancing. The 4-Hers even got into the act, as many were invited on stage as part of the audience participation portion of the show.
Early morning Saturday found the tour heading for the University of Tennessees new dairy research facility in Walland, Tenn. There, agricultural researchers provided tours of the barns, which are scheduled to have the first milk cows arrive in the very near future. A strong component of the work at the facility is focused on the unique fact that the land has not had animals raised on it for many decades, so environmental scientists were able to collect extensive baseline samples before the project moves on.
This allows us to address current concerns regarding agricultures effects on the environment, explained one researcher. We are able to use a closely controlled environment, and study it from the ground up, in order to help those in agriculture discover the best practices that will increase production while protecting the environment.
The second stop of the day was at Sweetwater Farm, where agri-tourism has become a new way of doing business and increasing income while educating the public about agriculture. Students and their 21 chaperones toured the farm and dairy facilities and cheese making production operation before sitting down to a fresh cheese sandwich and ice cream lunch.
Students responded positively to the opportunity to tour both dairy facilities.
Even though it is open to tourists, Sweetwater Farm looks like a real, working farm, not like the showcase farm I expected, commented member Stephanie Steel. You can tell its the real thing.
After spending an evening go-carting at The Track in Pigeon Forge, the 4-H members rose early for the final day of their trip, which included a visit to NASCARs Bristol Motor Speedway. There, the group explored the multi-tiered stands, toured the owners sky-high glassed in viewing suite, and then, for a finishing touch, the tour busses rolled out onto the track itself for a lap, much to the delight of all, including the bus drivers. Adults and youth alike took the opportunity to climb up the steep side banks of the course, and walk or run the half mile track themselves.
This is great, exclaimed one teenager. Now when I watch NASCAR races here on television, I can say that Ive lapped that track myself.
Bus driver Dale laughed as he agreed that the experience was a real treat. My grandkids are never going to believe this until they see the pictures!
