MERIDIAN, Idaho — Meridian Dairy Days has evolved over the years. Starting 95 years ago when dairy farmers met to see who had the best cows. Although, the festival is a few days long, Idaho's dairy industry works 365 days a year.
A day on the dairy is never dull and Idahoan Michael Siegersma knew he would be working for the family dairy from a young age.
"There's always something to be done. And that makes it a great challenge, but people that are in the industry really thrive on challenge," Siegersma said. "I got into the business because I grew up in it. I went to work on dairies with my dad as a kid growing up."
Now, he is managing an operation of 2,000 dairy cattle.
"We feed cows every day, we milk cows three times every day, and we check if there's cows we need to breed every day," he said.
Siegersma's aunt and uncle moved to Eagle Ridge Dairy, from California to Kuna, nearly 30 years ago.
"They saw the excellent climate for dairy here as well as available feedstock and a need for more milk in this area," he said.
Cows there produce 18,000 gallons of milk a day. The milk is sent to Sorrento Lactalis in Nampa, pressed into cheese, and then shipped to grocery stores and restaurants.
"We're proud to make quality milk that goes to make quality cheese to feed Idahoans, Americans and all people of the world," Siegersma said.
The University of Idaho estimates dairy production brought in $3.5 billion in 2023 to the Gem State.
"It's really cool to be a part of an industry that's so important to this state," Siegersma said.
The impact of dairy farmers on Idaho's economy is one of the biggest reasons why Meridian Dairy Days is so important to the state. An event to come together and celebrate dairy.
Siegersma said Idaho is the third highest state for dairy revenue, behind California and Wisconsin.
Hans Bruijn is the Meridian Dairy Days Board President.
"It's so easy to pick up a gallon of milk and, and your cornflakes and but, you know, it's very important to kind of learn where it comes from," Bruijn said.
He said Dairy Days is a chance to educate the community. Meridian used to be the center of Idaho's dairy production.
"I moved here in 1981 with a small herd dairy cattle, and I rented a dairy on 10 mile and Overland. And then within a two-mile radius, that was six dairies. And in the early 80s, that was already, you know, less than a third was left of the hay days," he said.
Dairy Days has changed over the years.
"It went more to, you know, celebrating of the heritage of Meridian, and now even more into educating the general public about the dairy industry and the importance of it," Bruijn said.
But it is still bringing together dairy producers and the community.
"We love Idaho just as much as everybody else, that's why we're here that's why we came here," Siegersma said. "We want to leave this place better than we found it."
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