Owners
- Phil Sparks
Location
- Corner of County Roads 200 West and 200 N. Entrance off of 200 North.
Activities
- Milking Barn
- Miling Demonstrations
- 12:30
- 2:30
- 4:30
- Calves
- Goats
- Llamas
- Photo Booth
Exhibits
- Antique Dairy Equipment
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Homemade Ice Cream
- Sasparilla
- Milk Promotion Services
- Mt. Verson H.S. FFA
For-Lou Farms
Forest and Louise Sparks began dairying on this farm in 1942. When their son, Phil, started 4-H in 1948 with registered Guernsey calves that were purchased for the project, For-Lou was chosen as the farm name. From that time the For-Lou Farm Guernsey herd has been evident on the cattle show circuit. For-Lou Farm has provided the Grand Champion stock for the Hancock County Fair for much of 60 years and has exhibited at the Indiana State Fair for over 50 years with Grand Champions in the 4-H and Open Shows.
Phil strives to produce high quality milk. The current milking herd consists of 24 cows and 22 springers and young stock that roam on approximately 60 acres of pasture.
Phil provides annual practice classes of Guernseys for the Purdue University judging team, the Indiana 4-H and FFA state team and has had teams from the University of Illinois and Oklahoma State practice at For-Lou Farm as well. Phil has been an ardent supporter of educating young people about the dairy cow and it's nutritious products. Guernsey milk is much higher in fat and protein content making it perfect for producing cheese.
Maintaining this small family farm is important to Phil. He is supported in this endeavor by his wife, Ruthie, and children, Adam and Amanda. Phil's priorities are God, family and the Guernsey cow. He never tires of talking about the Guernsey cow!
Your tour of For-Lou Farms will allow you to take a personal look at how a dairy farm runs including a tour through the milking barn. At 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. you can see what is involved in milking a Guernsey cow and see how the milk is stored before it is hauled by the milk truck to be processed. Kids will enjoy learning how much grain, hay and water is required to feed each cow per day. And adults and children alike will be fascinated by the antique dairy equipment on hand. As you walk through the milking barn make sure to take a look at all of the awards and ribbons won by the For-Lou Champion stock. 
Younger visitors to For-Lou Farms will delight in petting calves as well as seeing and learning about goats and llamas. Make sure to remember your day at For-Lou Farms by having your picture taken by the Hancock County Dairy Club.
During your visit to For-Lou Farms make sure to stop by all of the exhibits on hand including the Young Farmers tent to enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich or whet your whistle with a drink of sasparilla available at the Cool Clovers 4-H Club booth and your visit to For-Lou Farms won't be complete without a scoop of homemade ice cream (all food and drinks available for a nominal fee). Additional displays with valuable information for visitors include the Milk Promotion Services and Mt. Vernon High School FFA.