Video Stories
The County Fair in Rhinebeck, New York. About 500,000 people come to this fair to eat and then have that food just about evacuated from them on rides. They buy things, play games, and have a good time spending money for the benefit of the Dutchess County Agricultural Society for, as it claims, "the promotion of agriculture, horticulture, mechanical and domestic arts, fine arts and allied sciences through education, instruction, display and competition."
Let the video speak for itself...
So, what does this have to do with Barry's cows or any kind of farming, anyway?
Perhaps I'm not being fair (pun intended) because although there are no farmers on display along the Midway, the fair attracts and educates many people for their first and most basic exposure to agriculture. A few years ago, we spent a week showing a couple of our horses at the agricultural tent to let people who obviously had never been up close to a real horse touch and ask questions about them. I overheard a family in earnest (in fact, heated) discussion about whether those cows being milked were "boys" or "girls" or even both. We are talking basic education here!
To find any evidence of agriculture, or an animal that is not plush/stuffed, you have to go up to what is almost another fair, up on "The Hill" where the 4-H Clubs compete and show their animals.
And it is here, up on The Hill, where you will also meet some folks from Pine Plains.
Gina and her father are going to continue milking at Barry's barn and have started building up their own herd.
I am following their progress and you can see some of it to you here.