Want to do something fun this summer? Help out the Birth Center!

The AgStar Miracle of Birth Center would not be possible with all of our volunteers! Coming into our second year, we are looking for more people to help us out. It's a fun opportunity to talk to people about agriculture and meet other volunteers all while having fun!

Check out this video from three of our fantastic student volunteers from last year about their experience.

The AgStar Miracle of Birth Center is looking for student and adult volunteers to work in the Center while it is open during the fair. To be a student volunteer, you must have completed ninth grade or higher.  We prefer all volunteers to have a livestock background. If you are interested in completing an application, please email Molly at agstarmiracleofbirth@gmail.com.

Back for the second year

The AgStar Miracle of Birth Center is back for the second year at the Olmsted County Free Fair in Rochester, Minn.

The Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, through Saturday, July 28, in building 43 on the fairgrounds.

Cows will be calving.

Sows will be farrowing.

Chicks will be hatching.

There will also be lambs at the Center.

Check back to this blog for updates before the Birth Center opens. Until then, let us know which animals you are looking forward to seeing the most through out poll on the right side of the page.

Another exciting day of births!

It was another exciting day yesterday at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. We once again had Princess Kay of the Milky Way join us. Along with that, we welcomed eight new piglets and a beautiful bull calf to the Center.

The day was filled with excitement as we listened to Princess Kay of the Milky Way during story time. After that people were able to participate in a scavenger hunt to learn more about agriculture and the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center!  

The rain decided to hit us. Luckily, we had a sow that was ready to farrow so those stuck inside were able to experience the miracle of birth. The sow had eight healthy piglets and they are all doing great! Stop out to to building 43 at the Olmsted County fairgrounds and visit them along with the other three litters of piglets!  

The fun didn't stop there. Shortly after the piglets were born around 5:30 p.m., one of the cows went into labor. Unfortunately, the calf was coming backwards. So we had to assist the cow in giving birth for her safety and the safety of the calf. The bull calf was born around 7 p.m. We am happy to report that mother and baby are doing fantastic!

Today the birth center was crawling with people as well! Everyone loves visiting the new piglets and seeing the chicks, ducks, calves and lambs. At 3:45 p.m. today, the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center welcomed a healthy heifer (girl) calf! The mother did great delivering her and the calf is about ready to start standing!

We still have some chicks left to hatch, a cow to calve and a pig to farrow! So come check out all the baby animals at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center and learn how to milk a cow!  

Let the fun begin!

Yesterday was a very exciting day and busy day! Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Katie Miron, was able to join us for the day she helped kids learn how to milk a cow and read a story about how milk become the cheese on our pizzas. It was great to have her here interacting with the kids and teaching them things about the dairy industry.

Princess Kay assisted a child milking "Milkshake."

The dairy industry was in full swing yesterday. Not only did Princess Kay join us, but one of our cows calved last night. At 9 P.M we welcomed a healthy baby boy to the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. We will be naming him tonight at his feeding at 5 P.M., so if you want to help us name him please be here by 5.

Not only did we have a cow calve, we had chicks and ducks hatching. Our first duck hatched yesterday morning as well. There were many visitors that enjoyed holding chicks, petting calves and lambs, and learning more about agriculture.

So please come on out today to view a sow giving birth, meet Princess Kay of the Milky Way, and take pictures with the baby animals!

Grand opening!

Wow, these last couple of days have been crazy at the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center at the Olmsted County fair. Our grand opening occurred yesterday at 12:30 p.m., but one sow could not wait until then. On Monday around 11 a.m. we had our first sow give birth to nine beautiful piglets. If you were not able to be there to see the sow give birth we have footage from the event.

Tuesday was our grand opening; however, before we could get to that event, one of our cows gave birth to a bull calf we named Milky Way. Both mother and calf are doing great. You can come  see Milky Way today and watch him being fed at 5 p.m.

At 12:30 p.m. we had the ribbon cutting ceremony. It was a great event and it was so amazing to see all the people who were there to support the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center. Ardell Brede, the Mayor of Rochester, was there and he even participated in a cow milking contest!

After the grand opening, we had another cow ready to give birth. At 1:30 p.m. Miracle Maddie was born. We named her Miracle Maddie because she was born backwards and upside down. Thankfully, we have a very talented veterinarian on staff to assist the cow while giving birth. There was much concern over the calf, but I am happy to report that both Miracle Maddie and her mother are doing well and are back home at Gar-Lin Farm.

This morning at 2 a.m. we had another liter of piglets born. This time there were 15 piglets! They are so adorable. I encourage all of you to come out and visit the AgStar Miracle of Birth Center today and view the piglets. Princess Kay of the Milky Way will also be here for story time and to take pictures with visitors. 

Schedule of events

Tomorrow is the grand opening of the AgStar Miracle of Birth! Come out to the Olmsted County FREE fair Tuesday through Saturday to view live births and have your picture taken with baby animals. As promised here is the schedule of events.

Tuesday July 26th

12:30 P.M. Ribbon Cutting

5 P.M. Calf Feeding (come see a baby calf being fed)

6 P.M. Pictures with baby calf

7 P.M Cow Milking Contest (Sign up due at 6:45 P.M.)

8 P.M. Pictures with Dairy Princess

Wednesday July 27th

1 P.M. Story time with cookies and milk

2 P.M. Pictures with dairy princess

3 P.M. Pictures with baby piglets

4 P.M. Pictures with Princess Kay of the Milky Way

5 P.M. Calf feeding

7 P.M. Pictures with baby chicks

Thursday July 28th

1 P.M. Story time with milk and cookies
2 P.M. Pictures with lamb

3 P.M. Scavenger hunt

4 P.M. Pictures with calf

5 P.M. Calf feeding

6 P.M. Pictures with dairy princess

7 P.M. Pictures with baby piglets

Friday July 29th

12 P.M. Pictures with baby calf

1 P.M. Story time with milk and cookies

2 P.M. Picture with lamb

5 P.M. Calf Feeding

6 P.M. Cow milking contest (sign up due at 5:45)

Saturday July 30th

1 P.M. Story time with cookies and milk

2 P.M. Pictures with baby chicks

3 P.M. Pictures with baby piglets

4 P.M. Pictures with dairy princess

5 P.M Calf feeding

6 P.M. Pictures with lamb

7 P.M. Pictures with baby calf

Throughout the day you can view live births of calves, piglets, and watch chicks hatch! Its all free so come on out and bring the family!

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!