CEDAR LAKE, Ind. — Lake County Farm Bureau (LCFB) hosted its first-ever Evening on the Farm event this summer, welcoming local officials, educators, and families to Kleine Dairy Farm for a firsthand look at the agriculture that shapes their community. The event was designed to build stronger connections between the county’s decision-makers and the farmers who work the land around them.
A Farm With Deep Roots
The event was hosted at Kleine Dairy Farm in Cedar Lake, owned and operated by Dave Kleine, a third-generation dairy farmer. The farm’s history stretches back to 1917, making it one of the area’s longest-standing agricultural operations and a fitting backdrop for an evening focused on connecting community members to their local food system.
A Federal Lawmaker Makes the Trip
U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-District 1) attended the event, touring the farm and speaking with farmers and Farm Bureau representatives ahead of continued Senate work on the farm bill. The bill passed the House in April and is now under review in the Senate.
“I want to make sure I stay connected to the county agriculture,” Mrvan said. “I have to have this education and connection to get a good grasp of the challenges farmers face and how to remove those challenges.”
Mrvan noted his legislative priorities include increased funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), support for second and third generation farmers, and continued investment in conservation efforts.
Why This Work Matters: LCFB’s Advocacy Mission
LCFB President Dan Sutton spoke to the broader purpose behind the Farm Bureau’s work at the event.
“Our job as the Lake County Farm Bureau is to advocate and educate for all things agriculture,” Sutton said. “Every decision in some way affects agriculture.”
Sutton pointed to a real, recent example of that advocacy work: a new school built near Lowell that led to a noticeable increase in traffic around nearby farm fields. As a result, local farmers have faced new restrictions on when they can move equipment such as tractors, sprayers, and harvesters, particularly during the morning and afternoon windows when school traffic peaks.
“The school board put a school out in the country,” Sutton said. “I saw the first-hand effects.”
Sutton also noted that LCFB continues to advocate for greater agricultural education and exposure within Lake County schools, a goal that events like Evening on the Farm directly support.
A Hands-On Look at Dairy Farming
For many attendees, the highlight of the evening was seeing modern dairy operations up close. Guests toured the farm’s parallel milking parlor, where cows are milked using gentle vacuum-pressure technology. Farm workers walked visitors through the sanitation process, cleaning and disinfecting each cow’s teats and udder before and after milking, to illustrate the level of care that goes into producing safe, high-quality milk.
The evening also included a crop tour, giving attendees a look at how corn, wheat, soybeans, and hay are grown and used to produce feed and straw for the dairy herd. Sutton led this portion of the tour, explaining the different roles each crop plays in cattle nutrition, with corn serving as an energy source and soybeans providing protein. Guests were given the chance to smell and taste the raw ingredients that make up cattle feed rations.
Community Reactions
The tour left a strong impression on several attendees. Sylvia Velez, who works at Kahler Middle School in Dyer, said she had no idea the dairy farm existed, despite it being right in the community.
“I didn’t know it (the dairy farm) existed,” Velez said. “People come to Cedar Lake for different things, you know?”
After the tour, Velez said the farm would make a valuable educational stop for local students, helping ensure the next generation understands the agriculture around them.
Lake County Judge Dan Burke, who attended with his wife, Katherine, and their three children, Jonathan, Lilian, and Benjamin, echoed a similar sentiment.
“People don’t always associate Lake County with farms,” Burke said. “It’s not factory farming. It’s great to hear all the effort put into caring for the cows. It all just seems thoughtful.”
Burke’s family got to experience firsthand how much milk a dairy cow produces daily, what the cattle eat, and how modern milking technology works.
Hanover Twp. Trustee Kevin Toth, a longtime area resident, also praised the event.
“This is awesome. Very nice. I learned a lot,” Toth said. “I’ve lived here most of my life in this area and never knew this stuff is here.”
Other Notable Attendees
The evening drew a strong turnout of local leaders, including Indiana State Sen. Julie Olthoff, Indiana State Sen. and Indiana Farm Bureau Vice President Kendell Culp, and Rachel Rhoades, representing the office of U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita.
Wrapping Up the Evening
The night closed out with a catered dinner, giving attendees, farmers, and Farm Bureau representatives a chance to continue the conversation in a more relaxed setting. Between the tours, the discussions, and the shared meal, the inaugural Evening on the Farm accomplished exactly what LCFB set out to do: build stronger connections between the county’s decision-makers, educators, and the agricultural community that supports them.
Lake County Farm Bureau plans to continue hosting Evening on the Farm as an annual event, with the goal of expanding participation among local schools, elected officials, and community members in future years.
For more information about Lake County Farm Bureau and upcoming events, visit lcfbin.org. Click here to read the full article on the Farmer’s Exchange here.
About Lake County Farm Bureau
Lake County Farm Bureau is a grassroots, membership-based organization dedicated to advocating for and educating the public about agriculture in Lake County, Indiana. As part of the Indiana Farm Bureau network, LCFB works to protect the interests of local farmers and rural communities, promote agricultural literacy among residents and students, and connect area officials, educators, and consumers with the farms and families that grow their food. Through events, outreach, and policy advocacy, Lake County Farm Bureau supports a thriving agricultural community for current and future generations.
About The Farmer’s Exchange
The Farmer’s Exchange has served as Michiana’s popular farm paper since 1926, providing agricultural news, market updates, and event coverage to farmers and rural communities throughout northern Indiana, southwestern Michigan, and parts of Ohio and Illinois. In addition to news reporting, the publication offers auction listings, farm equipment classifieds, and coverage of local agricultural events, making it a trusted source of information for the region’s farming community.
