(Norwich, NY – June 2013) The challenge of organizing ducks to race will again, soon provide some fun family entertainment in Norwich.
No, not real ducks! Yellow rubber ducks, the type that normally float in the bathtubs of young children, will float down the Chenango River on Saturday, June 15with a great purpose in mind – to raise money for the Dairy Promotion scholarship fund. The Scholarship in the amount of 1,000 is awarded to a young person pursuing a college degree in agriculture.
Sarah Miedema (pictured) of Sherburne was the first recipient of the first annual Dairy Promotion Scholarship. Miedema is a junior majoring in Agricultural Business Development at Morrisville State College where she is an honors student. She is active in the Livestock Club and Morrisville Fresh, the operating entity of the Agricultural Business program. Miedema is instrumental in making cheese for the program’s cheese sales. In addition, Miedema is active in her church and is a graduate of Valley Heights Christian Academy.
The daughter of John and Martha Jane Miedema of Sherburne Miedema is an integral part of her family’s dairy farm business. The Miedema farm business consists of 100 milking age organic cows. Miedema is responsible for managing the baby calves, which involves early morning feedings before college classes and night feedings after classes. Miedema plans to return full-time to the family business upon graduating from college.
The 2013 Duck Derby will be held in conjunction with the 13th annual Dairy Day celebration on June 15 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Starting at 12:30 p.m., the Duck Derby will send ducks that have been purchased for $5 each by community members from the East Main Street Bridge near the fairgrounds to the finish line, also on the fairgrounds. The first duck to reach the finish line will earn the purchaser a cash prize of $100, with second and third place ducks earning $50 and $25 respectively. All proceeds from the sale of ducks will go towards the scholarship. An ice cream social to celebrate will be held immediately following.
The Duck Derby is just one of several fun activities being planned for the 13th annual Chenango County Dairy Day being held on Saturday, June 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the fairgrounds. A parade, educational exhibits, free dairy products, a stock tank race, games and activities for the kids, animals, dancers and music will all add to the fun and excitement of this free, family activity.
For more information contact Marge Davis at 315-837-4741. “Like” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DairyDay for updates.