REXFORD, Kansas: McCarty Family Farms and Cargill have expanded agricultural education efforts with the opening of new interactive dairy nutrition exhibits at two dairy learning centers in the United States. The exhibits are located at the Judy McCarty Dairy Learning Center in Rexford, Kansas, and the MVP Dairy Learning Center in Celina, Ohio.
Supported by the Cargill Cares Council, the new exhibits are designed to help students, families and community members understand the role of animal nutrition in maintaining healthy cows, supporting dairy farm performance and producing milk. The initiative combines interactive learning activities with information about modern dairy farming, nutrition, science and technology.
The two learning centers have welcomed more than 100,000 visitors through in-person and virtual experiences since their openings. Visitors have come from all 50 US states and more than 75 countries, highlighting the centers’ role in connecting consumers and communities with modern dairy agriculture.
Interactive approach to dairy nutrition
The new exhibits provide visitors with hands-on opportunities to understand how nutrition influences dairy cattle and milk production. Through interactive games and an immersive farm simulation, visitors can develop a ration for a dairy cow and follow the journey of milk production from the cow to the consumer.
The learning experience is intended to explain some of the scientific and operational practices involved in dairy farming in an accessible way. By connecting animal nutrition with cow health and farm performance, the exhibits aim to give visitors a clearer understanding of the factors involved in producing milk.
Ken McCarty, co-owner of McCarty Family Farms and MVP Dairy, said helping people understand where their food comes from and how animals are cared for is an important part of the future of dairy farming.
McCarty Family Farms operates five dairy farms in Kansas, including a flagship farm with 10,000 cows. The family also jointly operates MVP Dairy in Ohio, which has more than 4,000 cows.
Cargill’s role in dairy nutrition
Cargill provides nutrition services for milk-producing cows across the farms operated by McCarty Family Farms and MVP Dairy. The partnership combines the dairy farms’ operational experience with Cargill’s animal nutrition capabilities.
Phil Graham, managing director of Cargill Animal Nutrition & Health North America, said healthy animals are an important foundation for dairy farms. He added that supporting the learning centers provides an opportunity to connect communities with agriculture and encourage interest among people who may contribute to the sector in the future.
The exhibits also reflect the companies’ broader focus on dairy sustainability, innovation and agricultural education. Visitors can tour the dairy farms, observe cows being milked and learn about animal care practices.
Connecting consumers with modern dairy farming
The learning centers are designed to provide a firsthand look at modern dairy production. In addition to animal nutrition, visitors can learn about farm operations, environmental stewardship and the technologies used in contemporary dairy farming.
The initiative comes as agricultural education continues to play an important role in helping consumers understand food production. Dairy learning centers can provide a direct connection between farming practices and the milk and dairy products consumed by households.
For McCarty Family Farms and MVP Dairy, the new exhibits also provide an opportunity to explain the relationship between nutrition, animal care and farm operations. Cargill’s involvement adds an additional focus on the science and technology behind dairy nutrition.
Both McCarty Family Farms and MVP Dairy are fourth-generation farming operations. Their learning centers provide educational opportunities for students, families and communities interested in understanding dairy farming and the wider food system.
The opening of the new exhibits therefore expands the educational activities available at the Kansas and Ohio facilities while strengthening the partnership between the dairy operations and Cargill in promoting agricultural education and awareness.