Fair Oaks Dairy Adventure
Fair Oaks Dairy, a working dairy farm near Fair Oaks, Indiana, is a great day trip destination for anyone interested in an up close view of a modern dairy farm, or even just a great grilled cheese sandwich! By combining a bus tour with the hands on experiences of an interactive learning center, Fair Oaks Dairy provides an educational and enjoyable experience.
The tour at Fair Oaks begins at The Adventure Center. The Adventure Center, a combined effort of two non-for profit dairy organizations, features life size models of dairy cows, a video presentation, and numerous interactive displays demonstrating different aspects of milk production and dairy farming.
From The Adventure Center, you will board an air-conditioned bus that will take you approximately one mile from the adventure center to an actual working dairy farm. From the bus you will see where the feed for the cows is mixed, and how corn silage is stored. The highlight of the bus tour is when the bus drives right through the maternity area of the dairy. Some are lucky enough to see the birth of a newborn calf. The narration during the bus tour provides an insightful view into modern dairy farming.
After a close-up look at dairy cows, you will be taken to the milking parlor where you will be permitted to leave the bus to see the milking parlor from an enclosed viewing station. The observation deck provides a great view of the actual milking process. Many are amazed at the sight of one hundred dairy cows riding a rotating platform while being milked. At this point, a tour guide is available to answer any questions you may have about the dairy.
The next stop on the bus tour is the dairy cafe and store, where you can purchase dairy products, which are produced at the farm. The cafe offers a small menu of sandwiches, soups, and homemade ice cream. The grilled cheese sandwich, made with your choice of several cheeses, is a gooey indulgence for any cheese lover, and the homemade cookies and cream ice cream is decadent. While enjoying your selections, you’ll be observing the production of cheese and ice cream through a glass wall between the cafe and the production plant.
Fair Oaks Dairy’s combination of education and fun results in a well-rounded family experience in a great country atmosphere. The dairy is located approximately two hours northwest of Indianapolis and approximately an hour and a half southeast of Chicago. For more information, visit Fair Oaks Dairy’s official website at www.fairoaksdairyadventure.com.
