NEW ULM – From little kids to senior citizens, people of all ages flocked to the Steve and Kerry Hoffman farm south of New Ulm for Family Night on the Dairy Farm Wednesday evening, June 17.

An estimated 600 people attended on a day that had the threat of showers, but good weather in the evening. Visitors came to tour the farm, go on wagon rides, meet dairy professionals, feed a calf, and – ?of course – enjoy dairy treats.

The Hoffmans hosted the every-other-year event for the fifth time. They partner with the New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club to put together a fun and educational evening. The Hoffmans provide the location and the Hub Club provides set-up and clean-up assistance, workers, and promotion. The cooperative event also involves many others – area agribusinesses, dairy princesses, FFA members, and neighbors.

Special guest for the evening was Jeni Haler, the 61st Princess Kay of the Milky Way from Norwood Young America. Jeni has many relatives in New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, and St. James. Since June 17 happened to be Jeni’s 20th birthday, many relatives were on hand to join in celebrating that occasion. With Johnny Helget on concertina, the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Johnny’s grandson, Nick Stadick also provided music, playing on the front lawn throughout the evening.

Nicollet Country Dairy Princesses Stacey Schugel and Megan Struss and Brown County Dairy Royalty Bethany Seifert, Sabrina Portner, Natalie Sellner, Isabella Portner, and Mary Rosenhammer led children’s activities and assisted at educational stations. New Ulm FFA members provided their face-painting skills and other FFA members assisted Hub Club members in parking cars.

Visitors were encouraged to take a walking tour of the farm with one of the Hoffmans, ask questions of them and their employees and to visit with ag experts who were on hand. The “most popular guy” of the evening was Keith Ranweiler, driving his dad Delmar’s vintage Oliver tractor for wagon rides. The specially designed wagon was provided by Dave Haala of Sleepy Eye. All ages were anxious to get on the wagon for a trip around the farm.

Dairy treats were another favorite of the evening. AgStar provided ice cream bars, AMPI string cheese, United Prairie Bank Go-Gurt, and Kraft furnished Handi-Snacks. Hub Club members were kept busy serving root beer floats provided by the club.

Heartland Pest Control sprayed for flies to make it a more pleasant evening.

(Article submitted by the New Ulm Farm-City Hub Club)