Friday: A steady flow of visitors

Friday had a steady flow of visitors to the Center.

One popular spots all day were the chicks.

A volunteer at the Miracle of Birth Center holds a chick for visitors to see.

Incubators have been in the Miracle of Birth Center so people can watch as they break out of their eggs.

Visitors watch the eggs in the incubator.

It takes about one to four hours for a chick to break out of its shell. It then stays in the incubator for about 24 hours to dry off before it is taken out.

Visitors pet a chick while a volunteer holds it.

Visitors to the Miracle of Birth Center were also able to take in a calf being born. At noon, a bull calf was born. After people texted in, the most popular vote for the calf was Butch.

The bull (boy) calf, Butch, resting at the Miracle of Birth Center.

Thursday: A surprise at the end

After a big day of births on Wednesday, Thursday was calm and relaxed. Many people came to visit the pigs that had been born the day before.

Myrna Welter holds a piglet for a visitor to pet. 

Although the sheep are not giving birth during the fair because they lamb in the spring, we have lambs at the Birth Center for people to watch.

Lambs at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. 

There is also an educational display showing how wool is used.

Just before closing, the cow decided she would have her calf. It was a girl! From the text messages, the name was decided as Callie. Both the cow and the calf were healthy and went home that night.

Gar-Lin Dairy: The people behind the cows!

It is less than a week away from the opening of the miracle of birth center and everything is coming together nicely. At the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center we will be having four cows giving birth. The cows are going to be coming from Gar-Lin Dairy and we are going to take this time to get to know them better.

Gar-Lin Dairy Farms started with Gary and Linda Allen in 1975 when they purchased the dairy and 40 cows from Gary’s parents. Over time, the farm expanded both in cow numbers and people to include son, Dean, and daughter, Dana. In 2006, the Allens partnered with another dairy family and over the last few years have expanded the herd to include 1,850 cows and farm 3,100 acres of alfalfa, corn, canning peas and rye grass. Currently, Gar-Lin Dairy’s management team includes Gary and Linda Allen, Dean Allen, Dr. Dana Allen and Carey Tweten.

The management team at Gar-Lin Dairy (from left to right) Carey Tweten, Dr. Dana, Gary, Linda and Dean.

At Gal-Lin Dairy they milk 1,650 cows three times a day. On average each of their cows produce 31,460 pounds of milk a year. That is approximately 3,700 gallons of milk! Every day on the farm they have an average of six cows giving birth. You will be able to see some of Gar-Lin Dairy's cows at the miracle of birth center starting July 26!

We are very thankful to Gar-Lin Dairy for their support of the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center!


The answer to the last blog was: Americans eat about 100 acres of pizza each day! That is a lot of cheese!

Question for the next blog: What is the schedule of events for the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center?

Check back tomorrow to find out what is happening everyday at the Miracle of Birth Center!

The miracle starts here

It is less than 17 days away from the grand opening of the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. There has been a lot of work put into making this amazing event possible. One of the biggest things needed to make sure this is a success is a nice building. Due to the mass amount of rain we have had this month, getting the building ready has been tricky.

Have no fear though, the building is now painted on both the inside and outside! Also, a new sign has been placed above the opening of the door. Along with the new renovations to the building the gestation stalls have arrived for the pigs. Gestation stalls are used to ensure that both the sow and her piglets get the best care possible and are always safe. We will keep you updated as things progress and give you a complete schedule of events!

Get excited the Olmsted County FREE Fair will be here in no time!

Answer: A chicken's heart beats 275 times a minute!

Question for next time: How many acres of pizza do Americans consume in one day?