|
A
Brief History
The
Moo Booth was created in 1991 in an effort to educate the
general public about the dairy industry. By furnishing the
Fair visitor with fun and accessible information about cattle,
the Moo Booth is a vital extension of the other cattle exhibits
and milking demonstrations at the Minnesota State Fair.
The Moo Booth has capitalized on the opportunity created
by having the consumers' full attention and curiosity for
a few minutes.
Thousands of Fair visitors visit the Moo Booth each year.
Some merely pass by, while others stay longer. participating
in such activities as hand milking a cow, taking a dairy
knowledge quiz, judging cows, feeding calves, or watching
videos. We provide for a number of interests by using a
wide variety of educational exhibits, including the ruminant
digestive process; dairying around the world; common cow
breeds; reproduction in dairy cattle; "How much feed
a cow consumes in one day" display; and "How milk
is made" display, among others.
We also continue the education process after the visitors
leave by providing them with free handouts about the dairy
industry, most of which are fun, educational games designed
for children. In addition, many teachers continue our message
by gathering information and ideas from the Moo Booth to
use in their classes.
The Moo Booth has received a positive response from both
Fair visitors and from people involved in the animal industry.
For a small financial investment, we make a big impact.
That impact does not end with the Fair. The ten minutes
a Fair visitor may spend in the Moo Booth far outweighs
the "sound bites" of information they may receive
from the media.
The Moo Booth provides consumers with a positive image of
the dairy and beef industries and gives them the facts about
how animals are raised. We feel that the education of all
consumers is extremely important, especially in light of
the continuing criticism that animal agriculture faces from
various movements.
|
