Recent world events in the Middle East and outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) in South Korea suggest we should continue to update ourselves about possible threats to our food system. For livestock producers, this means looking at biosecurity and emergency plans for all foreign animal diseases (FADs) including FMD, a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. Foot-and-mouth disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats, deer and other ruminants. Livestock owners fear FMD because it spreads rapidly and results in severe economic losses, shutting down exports and loss of consumer confidence.

Breakfast on the farm (BOTF) events in Michigan are connecting the public with modern agriculture and food production. BOTF events appear to be attracting the desired audience, with 46 percent of respondents to our exit survey indicating they have not been on a dairy farm before and 25 percent indicating they have been on a dairy farm only one to five times. In addition, 45 percent live in an urban area, 42 percent live in a rural area and only 14 percent live on a farm. To determine the key educational aspects of farm visits by the public, we surveyed BOTF participants. The focus of this article is on BOTF participants’ impressions about modern dairy farms and farmers. Do BOTF events change impressions and attitudes about modern dairy farms?