The Jackson County On-the-Farm Pancake and Sausage Breakfast is about more than opening up their home for a tasty morning meal for Dave and Sherry Olson.

"Our goal is to represent the traditional family dairy farm," said Sherry Olson. "Just as Wisconsin is seen as the definition of the dairy state, we would see our farm as the definition of the traditional Wisconsin family dairy operation."

This year the breakfast will be held on Saturday, June 7 from 6 - 11 a.m. at the Olson farm which is 3 ½ miles SW of Black River Falls toward Melrose. Cost for the event is $5 for adults and $2 for children.

The Olsons are fourth generation dairy farmers who have owned their farm since 1994. They grow their own feed, raise alfalfa, corn, oats and soybeans, and they have 100 registered milking cows along with 125 young stock on the farm. They raise all of their own livestock, too. The farm has been in the Olson family since 1892.

Another goal, Olson said, is to help people understand where their food comes from. They can accomplish that by opening up the family farm for tours on the day of the breakfast.

"Every farm is set up a little different," Olson said. "Our farm will be set up so the doors will be open. People can go in the barn, near the calves, there will be a petting zoo and a dairy judging contest."

There will also be horse and carriage rides, Olson said, and a visit from the Milk Buds - miniature horses with a hitch available for rides. This year they're expecting about 1,800 people, she said.

"We're looking forward to the event - being that it's close to Black River Falls," said Brad Rahmlow, who is treasurer of The Jackson County Dairy Promotion Committee. The committee organizes the annual event and helps with promoting it.

Rahmlow said the chance to be on the farm is more important than ever.

"As more and more years go by there's less and less people who come from a farm background," he said.

Olson said she's in complete agreement.

"It's a way to experience a Saturday morning in the country on the farm," she said. "To be a part of where the food chain begins."

Along with the 1,800 expected guests, there will be about 75 volunteers serving pancakes, sausage, milk, coffee and juice, Olson said. The food is being catered by the Black Rover Falls Lions Club. All the help will be greatly appreciated, she said.

"We've been asked many, many times," Olson said. "Think about cleaning your house for a party, well we have to clean the whole farm!"

When asked why they would take on such an enormous task, Olson said one reason can be attributed to her daughters - Kelsey,17, and the 2007 Miss Jackson County, and Erica, 14.

"Our children have begged us for years. They're old enough to help, remember and appreciate the experience," she said.

Directions

David and Sherry Olson Family, 11850 Thomas Road, Black River Falls, WI 54615

From Black River Falls --- take Hwy 54 west 1.7 miles to Spring Creek Road, -- turn right on Spring Creek Rd. 0.6 miles to Moss Hill Road, -- turn right on Moss Hill a short way, then left on Thomas Road 0.7 miles.

From Melrose --- take Hwy 54 east about 12 miles to Spring Creek Road. Turn left and follow the directions above.

Activities

6-11 a.m., breakfast

Animal Hospitality Area,

Music by: Coleman Olson's Classic Country Music

Horse Drawn Rides

Dairy Judging

Milk Buds (Miniature Horse Hitch)

7:30 & 8:30: 4-H Drill Team

10: Tractor Ride Arrival

10:30: Acknowledgements

Spin the Wheel, Kids Games, Ice Cream Cones, Live Radio Broadcast, Face Painting, Balloons, and Dairy Promotion Items for Sale