VANZANT, Mo. – Missouri Dairy’s fifth annual Summer Social, held in partnership with University of Missouri Extension, is 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at Twin Knobs Dairy in Vanzant.

Fourth-generation dairy farmers Kaleb and Erin Rodgers plan to host Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn for the June Dairy Month proclamation at the event. Beginning with only 100 acres, the family has farmed with resilience to amass 1,000 acres in their operation, said MU Extension dairy specialist Reagan Bluel.

One of the guiding goals to grow the Missouri dairy industry identified at the 2024 Missouri Dairy Summit is to build and support the future of existing dairy operations through improving production within, Bluel said. “Kaleb and Erin have recently made major investments in the construction of a parlor and pack barn for their operation,” she said. “This strategic reinvestment is the first in decades, and it deserves to be showcased as a model opportunity of private-public partnership increasing both financial and environmental sustainability.”

In 2021, the Rodgers began seeking approval to improve the housing conditions of their herd. Through partnership with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), they found common goals of cow comfort while also limiting runoff. Cow comfort translates to improved production potential, Bluel said. The barn project was completed in 2024. The Rodgers will share before-and-after examples, including production records.

NRCS agricultural engineer Theresa Woods, who designed the pack barn, will present key points to consider when constructing a new dairy facility. A portion of the project was afforded through cost-sharing, enabling this young dairy couple to maximize each dollar invested and therefore allow the Rodgers to concurrently build a new parlor, Bluel said.

Specific cost-share programs implemented were waste management, pack barn manure storage, feed floor, heavy use for the holding pen and return alley. The event will highlight opportunities while transparently discussing the hurdles to help other dairy producers anticipate and plan for potential roadblocks.

Finally, the farm family will candidly discuss their farm succession plan, what helped make them successful and the hurdles their family experienced, Bluel said.

“One of the brightest blessings of the summer social is getting dairy producers off the farm, coalescing together to share ideas,” she said. “This farm family is an inspiration. Both now farm full time after investing years of off-farm income back into the operation. We are eager to offer this learning opportunity to help dairymen become stronger together.”

Event details and directions are at http://MODairy.org/mo-dairy-summersocial2025. To register and reserve a free rib-eye lunch, visit http://muext.us/2025DairySummerSocial or call 417-847-3161. Registration deadline is May 30.