Farmers have been helping children in New Castle County get milk through the Ministry of Caring’s Milk for Children Fund for more than ten years, according to NCC Farm Bureau President Stewart Ramsey.
The Delaware Farm Bureau Foundation’s 11th annual Milk Walk/Run 5k, scheduled this year for Saturday, May 18 at Ramsey’s Farm in Wilmington, not only raises funds for the Milk for Children Fund, but also the Foundation and the Food Bank of Delaware’s Backpack Program.
“We take time to give back. It’s important to us as a family and the Farm Bureau and I’m glad to see the next generation is starting to take hold of that,” Ramsey said.
Registration is $25 per participant through May 10 and $30 each after that date or the day of the event beginning at 8 a.m. The race will kick off at 9 a.m.
Participants will find their way around the scenic Ramsey's Farm located at 440 Ramsey Road in Wilmington before celebrating their accomplishments with fellow racers at the finish line.
“We always wanted to have the Milk Run at a farm, but sometimes doing races at farms is difficult because of the logistics with road crossings and such. Having it at Ramsey’s Farm gets it back on the farm. We host these kinds of events throughout the year. We’ve done mountain bike races and several 5k races over the last ten years, so we’re well-suited for this kind of event,” he said.
The Ramseys grow wagyu beef and produce which are both sold at the farm’s produce stand. The family-run business also frequently features agritourism activities on the farm, such as field trips, floral arrangement classes, goat yoga and fall fun including a corn maze and u-pick pumpkin patch.
“Supporting our farmers through our events is just one way the Delaware Farm Bureau connects with members and educates the public about farming life in Delaware,” DEFB Assistant Executive Director Mikayla Paul said. “We’re happy to have the chance to bring the Milk Run back to Ramsey’s Farm. It’s a picturesque landscape with plenty of opportunities for participants to enjoy Delaware agriculture on a fun, Saturday morning out while raising money for great causes.”
The annual Milk Run, run by Fusion Racing, benefits the DEFB Foundation, as well as the Ministry of Caring’s Milk for Children Fund and the Food Bank of Delaware’s Backpack Program. Over the years, the Milk Run has raised more than $200,000 with proceeds split amongst the three groups.
“The ministry of Caring in Wilmington, for many years, had a sponsor that paid for the milk for their morning program for kids. When they lost their sponsor, we stepped in. It seemed like a perfect fit for Farm Bureau, so, at the time, the New Castle County Farm Bureau adopted the cause before we started sponsoring it through the Foundation,” Ramsey said. “Their ask was bto help replace the $10,000 a year sponsorship. We were not only able to do that, but now the Milk Run has grown and we can support the Foundation and the Food Bank’s Backpack Program, as well. It’s just a very noble and worthwhile thing to do. I’m glad we can be involved through the Farm Bureau.”
For more information or to register for the 7th annual Safety Conference, please visit www.defb.org or call the Delaware Farm Bureau state office at 302-697-3183.
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