The Wisconsin State Fair stands as one of the premier agricultural events in the Midwest, offering a unique opportunity to connect families directly with local food producers. In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Hughes, dairy farmer from the Pittsville area and board member of Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin (DFW).  She explains the unique combinations that are being brought together for this years state fair, exploring how the organization brings dairy farming to life for hundreds of thousands of fairgoers. 

Interactive Education at Dairy Lane

Dairy Lane remains a top destination for families visiting the fairgrounds. Through a partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair Dairy Promotion Board, DFW supplies educational materials, industry messaging, and trained ambassadors.

Accessible Milking Demonstrations

• Daily English Demonstrations: Conducted every day of the fair to showcase modern milking practices.

• Weekend Spanish Demonstrations: Offered each weekend to make agricultural education accessible to bilingual communities.

• Trained Ambassadors: On-site experts answer visitor questions about cow care, nutrition, and milk production.

In 2025 alone, Dairy Lane reached more than 800,000 fairgoers, fostering direct dialogue between consumers and local producers.

Celebrating Award-Winning Wisconsin Cheese & Butter

Wisconsin is world-renowned for its craftsmanship in cheesemaking and dairy production. DFW highlights these achievements through key fair traditions:

• Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction: Supporting top dairy producers and youth scholarships.

• Official Champion Cheeseboard: Showcasing award-winning cheeses for fairgoers and industry leaders to celebrate.

Special Activation: Born To Dairy™ Day

Mark your calendars for an exclusive event celebrating America's Dairyland:

• Date: August 14

• Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Location: Outside the Cream Puff Pavilion & Dairy Building

• Event: Piggly Wiggly presents the Born To Dairy™ Activation, featuring farmer meet-and-greets, interactive learning activities, and family fun.