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BUTTER SCULPTURE SALUTES THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PRODUCT
Butter Sculpture
COLUMBUS, July 28, 2009
Recognizing that people today want to know that the food they consume is produced in a responsible way, the American Dairy Association showcases “the people behind the product” at the Ohio State Fair, July 29-Aug. 9.
“While many things about modern agriculture have changed with the times, dairy farmers’ commitment to caring for their animals remains a top priority,” said Scott E. Higgins, CEO for the American Dairy Association Mideast. “This year’s display serves as a reminder that Ohio’s dairy farmers go above and beyond to make sure their herds are safe, well-fed and given the best care.”
Ohio’s 3,300 dairy farmers work around the clock to take excellent care of their cows by providing them with a nutritious diet, regular veterinary care and clean, healthy living conditions to ensure their cows produce high quality milk for you to enjoy. The American Dairy Association salutes Ohio’s dairy farm families for their hard work, dedication and commitment.
The 2009 butter display depicts a typical Ohio dairy farmer and his veterinarian giving a routine check-up to one of his cows. Nearby, a baby calf is bottle fed by the dairy farmer’s young daughter with the help of her grandfather. The cow is modeled after an ideal Holstein dairy cow.
The Dairy Products Building exhibit was sculpted by a group of three Cincinnati-based free-lance technical sculptors engaged primarily in the toy industry. Crafted from approximately 1,800 pounds of unsalted butter donated in part by Dairy Farmers of America, the display was completed in 350 hours, in which approximately 200 of those hours were spent actually sculpting the butter.
The sculptors began by building wooden and steel frames to support the weight of the butter.
From 55-pound blocks, the butter is sliced into manageable loaves and is layered to cover the frames. After many hours of molding and smoothing the butter in a 45-degree cooler, each figure begins to take shape. Intricate details, like eyes and hair, are then defined to give each figure its unique likeness.
The butter display at the Ohio State Fair attracts more than 500,000 visitors each August. The display has reflected positive ideals and cultural trends in Ohio for over 40 years, with several exhibits gaining national media attention with themes that have universal appeal. Past sculptures include last year’s tribute to the eight Ohio-born U.S. presidents, 2006 salute to the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, the 2004 tribute America’s favorite treat- ice cream, and several well-known Ohio personalities like Jack Hanna, Bobby Rahal, Jack Nicklaus, Dave Thomas and John Glenn. Many more have paid tribute to innovation, entrepreneurship and commitment of the dairy industry.
Following the fair, the butter from the display will be turned into biodiesel, an eco-friendly alternative fuel that is cleaner and less expensive than fossil fuel diesel. Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) will convert the butter into fuel by using a chemical process that they currently use to recycle vegetable oil from their catering service into biodiesel, which is then used to power their maintenance equipment. MVNU’s biodiesel is currently powering a bus, a dump truck, all lawn/snow removal equipment, and diesel generators for their campus.
The butter display can be found in the Dairy Products Building at the Ohio Expo Center, home of the Ohio State Fair. The Dairy Products Building is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and offers a variety of Ohio-produced dairy products including ice cream, milkshakes, cheese sandwiches, milk and yogurt. The butter sculpture display and the Dairy Products Building are sponsored by the American Dairy Association Mideast, Ohio’s dairy-farmer funded marketing and promotion program.
The Ohio Expo Center is proud to host the 156th Ohio State Fair. With a spectacular midway, big-name entertainment, hundreds of exhibits and one of the largest junior fair shows in the nation, the 2009 Ohio State Fair will run July 29 – August 9.
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For more information, media may contact Christina Leeds at 614-644-4011.
(Please do not publish this number.)
The Ohio Expo Center is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.
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