Hay for horses, pancakes for people, fun learning for all at the 2025 Breakfast on the Farm event
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EmailNearly 1,200 people attended Michigan State University Extension’s 2025 Breakfast on the Farm event hosted at the Michigan State University Horse Teaching and Research Center.
Breakfast on the Farm was created by Michigan State University Extension in 2009 to help people learn about Michigan agriculture. Since its inception, over 93,000 people have attended an MSU Extension Breakfast on the Farm event. This year, MSU Extension, the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center and the Ingham County agricultural community worked together to organize the 2025 Breakfast on the Farm event. For the first time in MSU Extension’s Breakfast on the Farm program history, the Michigan equine industry was highlighted. According to the American Horse Council Foundation’s Economic Impact study (2017) of the U.S. horse industry, Michigan boasts the 12th largest horse population in the United States.
On Saturday, August 2, the 43rd MSU Extension Breakfast on the Farm event took place at the MSU Horse Farm, located on 100 acres just south of the MSU main campus. The program was a free, fun-filled educational event for the entire family. A farm-cooked, pancake breakfast was provided to 1,154 attendees before they embarked on the self-guided walking tour of the farm.
Throughout the tour, participants had the opportunity to learn about the many aspects of horse care and management. The first stop included an informational display about the history of the MSU horse farm. The farm is home to one of the oldest ongoing Arabian horse breeding programs in the U.S. The mission of the MSU Horse Teaching and Research facility is to educate horse-oriented youth, students, owners and industry personnel through research-based information that increases their opportunities for employment, profitability or personal satisfaction. The Center’s programs revolve around teaching, research and Extension outreach.
Other educational stations along the self-guided tour included: mare and foal management, MSU’s past draft horse program, horse health, coat colors of horses, facial markings on horses, horse behavior and expressions, horse housing and nutrition, manure management, horse pasture and fencing, plants that are toxic to horses, riding arenas, round pen usage, tack equipment for getting ready to ride, horse transportation, and MSU Extension’s Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) program information and response trailer.
In addition to the educational stations, special activities for kids included a kid’s quiz, similar to a scavenger hunt where answers to questions could be found on educational posters stationed throughout the farm; a mock stick horse show in the riding arena where participating kids earned a MSU horse show ribbon; and a fun, stall cleaning activity. Farm equipment typically used on horse farms was displayed for kids and adults to experience.
This event was made possible through generous financial support from agriculture and non-agriculture-related businesses and organizations. Furthermore, several Michigan agricultural commodity groups and organizations—Michigan Horse Council, Michigan Pork Producers Association, Michigan Wheat Program, Michigan Soybean Association, Michigan Ag Council, and Michigan Farm Bureau—in addition to Hutson Equipment, and Tribute Feeds, participated in the day’s activities, visiting with attendees and providing educational learning opportunities. Over 60 volunteers assisted with planning and day-of activities on the farm.
Participant Feedback
At the end of the self-guided tour, visitors were asked to complete a short, voluntary survey.
- Participants were asked how their knowledge of the Michigan equine industry changed because of the tour.
- 76% of those completing the survey indicated a great (42%) or moderate (34%) increase in knowledge of the equine industry.
- Similarly, they were asked how their knowledge of horse management and care changed.
- 70% of visitors indicated a great (36%) or moderate (34%) increase in knowledge.
- Respondents were also asked if they intend to share what they learned with others.
- 82% indicated that they will be sharing what they learned.
- As this was the first Breakfast on the Farm event on a horse farm, the final question asked participants if they would be interested in attending additional equine-related activities and/or events.
- 98% expressed interest in additional activities and events, with 74% responding yes and 24% maybe.
Breakfast on the Farm at the MSU Horse Teaching and Research Center offered the entire family a chance to connect with Michigan agriculture, see how horses are raised and cared for, and enjoy a delicious, farm-cooked breakfast. Organizers extend gratitude and appreciation to all who helped make the 43rd event possible and successful.
For information about Breakfast on the Farm, contact Mary Dunckel at 989-354-9875 or dunckelm@msu.edu or Ashley Decker at 586-469-7616 or at kuschela@msu.edu.
