OPINION: Distance for Dreams heads to Young’s Jersey Dairy

Writer Jamie Blodgett shares her experience at Young’s Jersey Dairy farm. Photo of the Distance for Dreams club courtesy of Blodgett.

Jamie Blodgett | Contributing Writer

A mere 30 minutes from The University of Dayton lies a fall attraction like no other. Young’s Jersey Dairy has it all from Cowvins Corny Maze and Playland’, picking your own pumpkins, Haunted Wagon Rides, Homemade Ice cream and batting cages. 

To celebrate the success of their Minnie 5k and Pancake Breakfast, University of Dayton’s Distance for Dreams club held their first social at the farm, and it was nothing short of the full fall experience. I was lucky enough to get to attend and experience the atmosphere of this farm for the first time. 

The weather, perfect. The ice cream, perfect. The picture locations, magical. The apple cider was the perfect end to the most perfect fall day. I was also blessed to get to spend the day with my fellow club members. It was like Ohio’s version of a fall DisneyLand, and I could not thank God enough for it.

Cowvins Corny Maze and Playland’ was created and named after the farm family’s baby. The maze charges $8 for ages 5 and up per ticket and you also get to enjoy a hay ride out to the field. The twists and turns are open from 11a.m.- 6p.m., and at the very end younger children can enjoy the play land; featuring cow hula hoops, the human hamster wheels, connect four, a small bale slide, and so much more. Along the way the farm guests can participate in trivia, photo ops, and checkpoint games via their phones. This maze has something for everyone of all ages.

Another must have fall activity is picking your own pumpkin. The farm offers a free wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch to select your very own pumpkin, but they also have some pre-picked pumpkins, ‘sugar’ pumpkins and gourds available at the Farm’s plaza. The pumpkins are available for $9.50 each, 3/$26, or 4/$34.

Our Dayton Flyers can also enjoy a Haunted Wagon Ride featuring scary stories every Friday and Saturday night in the month of October. On the farms 60-acres lies their infamous Storytelling Theatre where Yellow Springs Tale Spinner’s professional storytellers will bring haunted stories to life. Then, you can head over to the wagon ride from 7:30p.m.-10p.m.; $14 for adults, $6 for children four and under.

Young’s Jersey Dairy also has their well known homemade ice cream, homemade pumpkin bread, apple cider, cinnamon pumpkin donut holes, and more available during your time with your friends and family. Their ice cream flavors of the week are:

October 4th – Pumpkin

October 11th- Caramel Chocolate Toffee

October 18th – Mint Chocolate Chip

October 25th – Salty Caramel Pretzel Crunch 

November 1st – Pumpkin

November 8th – Black Raspberry

Finally, you are able to visit the farm animals. The farm produces over 60,000 pounds of cheese annually. They have about 40 total Jersey cows, which are a breed of cow known for their high production of milk. Each cow is milked twice daily, taking 4 minutes to milk each cow totalling 160 minutes of the day. On average, each day every cow produces 6 to 7 gallons of milk. The farm works hard to feed their cows nearly 12,000 bales of hay yearly that they gather themselves. 

Overall, this family owned farmland provides the ideal fall adventure. For a date, time with friends, family, even just to get away from the stresses of school to enjoy their delicious apple cider. Following the fall months, Flyers can look forward to Carl and Dorthy Young’s Christmas Trees, which reside right next to the Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm at a red barn. During this time you can pick a tree from 30 acres of land, and they will shake, wrap, and load the tree in the car for you. They even have a gift shop featuring ornaments, tree stands, and much more.

No matter your needs, the holidays are bound to be successful at Young’s Jersey acres. The University of Dayton will be taking students to the farm on October 29th, students can sign up on 1850.

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