In addition to demonstrations, visitors will have a chance to sample fresh milk, cheese and other treats.Four years ago, Angel Miller had never heard of National Dairy Goat Awareness Week, and neither had most of the Ooltewah/Collegedale area. Now, Miller is expecting more than 500 people to stop by the Ooltewah Farmers Market June 15 just to celebrate the dairy goat during the market's annual Dairy Goat Day.
"I had never heard of it before but just thought it was a great idea when a local farmer told me about it," said Miller, the marketing director for Ooltewah Nursery and Landscape Co. "It's just kind of grown since then. It's just a lot of fun and parents and kids love it."
The day will feature milking demonstrations at 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. and include samples of fresh milk, along with cheese and other dairy goat products such as soap, shampoo, detergent, balm and more. A new line of baby products is now available as well.
The best though, Miller said, is the chocolate goat milk fudge.
"It's just to die for. It's so good, and sweetened with honey instead of sugar," she said.
The nursery's Dairy Goat Day will take place at the regular Thursday farmers market from 3-6 p.m. Miller said the Ooltewah Farmers Market is one of the only ones in the region that sends representatives to visit each farm as a part of the application process, ensuring the fresh food sold is grown on-site.
"When you shop here, you can be confident that what you are getting is local and indeed grown by that farmer," Miller said. "We're proud of that."
For more information, visit ooltewahnursery.com.