A day of dairy, football at SDSU

BROOKINGS, S. D. — For many years, the Dairy Drive at South Dakota State University has united football, the dairy industry and the community. The annual event reaches consumers, celebrates dairy farmers and processors, and recognizes students and industry partners who support SDSU’s dairy programs.

The Sept. 19 SDSU football game featured a full day of dairy activities, including tours of the Davis Dairy Plant, interactive sponsor booths, halftime recognition of sponsors and student teams, and free cheese for fans following the game.

“The Dairy Drive is a great opportunity to recognize dairy farmers for all that they do and show appreciation for the dairy industry — the producers, the processors and all the  entities that support the dairy industry,” said Londa Nwadike, head of the David A. Thompson Endowed Department and a professor at SDSU.

Nwadike said consumers are one of the event’s target audiences. The Dairy Drive also introduces families and high school students to career opportunities in dairy production, dairy manufacturing and food science.

“We really appreciate that there are lots of great jobs in South Dakota and the surrounding region, including Minnesota and Iowa,” Nwadike said. “Those jobs translate into salaries for families that can then spend that money in our economy.”

That outreach was visible throughout the day at sponsor booths. Bel offered free cheese and Plinko, SDSU’s Department of Dairy and Food Science served ice cream and offered a chance to pet a dairy calf, Agropur served quesadillas and held cheese trivia, Valley Queen Cheese served grilled cheese, Prairie Farms offered milk or coffee and Associated Milk Producers Inc. hosted a spin-the-wheel game.

“We had a punch card where people could go around to all the different booths and tailgating areas,” Nwadike said. “If they went to each of those areas, they would get a punch and then they could enter into a drawing to win a prize from a cooler full of lots of goodies. There were lots of giveaways, so it was a really fun atmosphere.” 

Doug Ode, president of the South Dakota Dairy Producers Association, also attended the event.

“We need to be out there promoting not only dairy in South Dakota, but the many jobs our students have the opportunity to take because of the major they are in,” Ode said.

Prairie Farms has sponsored the event as it continues to grow.

“It was another outstanding SDSU Dairy Drive,” said John Cooper, general manager at Prairie Farms. “Prairie Farms is proud to partner with South Dakota State University and others in the dairy industry to showcase agriculture and the benefits it has for everyone in our community. The event continues to grow year after year.”

AMPI also sees the event as a way to connect current dairy employees and farmer-owners with students interested in the industry.

“The SDSU Dairy Drive brings together AMPI farmer-owners and employees with shared roots, as well as those aspiring to be part of the dairy community,” said Sheryl Meshke, AMPI president and CEO. “SDSU’s legacy of dairy production and manufacturing provides the ideal venue to share our AMPI story.”

During halftime, industry partners were recognized on the field alongside students who competed in dairy-related contests, including the dairy cattle judging team and dairy quiz bowl team, which recently won its contest this summer at the American Dairy Science Association annual meeting.

Nwadike said recognizing students on the field was important after hearing from a student who said being recognized at last year’s Dairy Drive was a highlight of the SDSU experience.

“I’ve been to other athletic events, and I would see other teams getting recognized on the field,” Nwadike said. “I thought, all these other teams get recognized, so we should recognize our food science teams too.”

After the game, college students handed out free cheese. Nwadike recalled a young teenager who said he grew up on a farm. After seeing posters advertising free cheese, he became excited and shared the information with others.

Nwadike said holding the event during a football game helps connect the dairy industry to a wider audience.

“It’s a way to reach people from all different walks of life who may not be thinking about dairy,” Nwadike said. “We want people to know that dairy is a great food, it provides good nutrition and there are also great careers in dairy and food science.”

The event offered fans several ways to associate with dairy while gaining a better understanding of the industry’s impact across the region.