Second annual Mercer County Ag Day planned

A dairy blogger from Wisconsin will be the featured speaker at the second annual Mercer County Ag Day in Celina on March 24.

The event, hosted by the county Farm Bureau, Wright State University-Lake Campus and the fair board, will be at the county fairgrounds.

Carrie Mess, better known as "Dairy Carrie," and her husband farm and milk cows in southern Wisconsin. She has made it her work to blog, speak and communicate about agriculture, said fair manager Cara Muhlenkamp.

During the last few years, Mess has taken on Panera Bread with her Pluck the Chicken campaign which called the company to task over misleading labels regarding antibiotic use in chickens. She also shares bold truths about everyday life on a dairy farm and protecting oneself, said Muhlenkamp, who follows Mess on social media and booked her as the speaker.

"We look at all the different folks involved in agriculture and try to find somebody that will be engaging for the FFA and 4-H kids," Muhlenkamp said. "She is all about making sure the negative rap agriculture gets sometimes is spun back in a positive way. She puts the truths about farming into her message."

On her blog site, Mess says she loves agriculture, particularly dairy cows, more than is normal. She and her husband work with his parents on their 100-cow dairy farm. She claims to be honest and frank and to have the smallest brain-to-mouth filter known to humanity. She also espouses a fondness for beer. Mess says she respects differing viewpoints and encourages people to ask her questions. She follows that up by saying she will delete the comments of people who are jerks.

Her talks to different groups cover many topics ranging from the importance of connecting customers to the people who grow their food to social media, marketing and others. She speaks to both agricultural and non-agricultural groups.

The morning session from 8:30-11:30 a.m., including a talk by Dairy Carrie, is for area FFA and 4-H members only. Officials from various ag-related businesses will be on hand to speak with youths.

Starting at noon, the public can partake in a lunch of pulled pork or beef, home fries, green beans and dessert, and talk to ag business officials at informational booths. At 12:45 p.m., Larry Gearhardt, a field specialist in taxation with the OSU Extension, will talk about advantages and disadvantages of setting up business entities such as sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations, and at 2 p.m. Mess will give another presentation. After her talk, the public can view ag business informational booths until 3:30 p.m. when the event ends.

The last day to register by calling 419-586-3239 is March 20 for those eating lunch. The cost is $10. Those not eating can attend the afternoon pubic session for free.