Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

We missed you!

I'm sure that's what the calves were thinking this morning  even though they

 were well cared for in my one day away from the farm.

It's always good to learn more about issues affecting

agriculture and  the dairy industry but there's no place like home.

                              After driving home from  Little Rock  yesterday in stormy weather,
                                I'm thankful to be safely back to work down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Life Lesson

Although this new momma had to have a little assistance delivering her calf, 

she instinctively knew how to care for him. Within the hour after giving birth,

 she was busy licking him and urging him to stand up for the first time.

He was a little wobbly on that first step but he made it!

It's such a sweet picture of  encouragement and a lesson in life  

that we witness often down on the dairy farm.

Encourage one another.

                          1 Thessalonians 5:11

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Vaughn Presbyterian Church has been a fixture in our  community for 126 years. 

Our membership is small but we've got a supportive community that came to buy a bean and cornbread supper and bid on pies to help us raise money for a local children's home.

I'm thankful for community friends like State Representative Dan Douglas who 

served as our  pie auctioneer, the church members that baked delicious pies, and the friends who not only  supported our project, but also

                         helped us celebrate my Mother's 85th birthday with cake and ice cream!

Milk Lover's Spring Break

What do I  love about spring break?

The opportunity to share what life is all about down on the dairy farm!

 My spring break happened today,

 on just an ordinary day down on the dairy farm,

  with  two young families wanting

  to know more about where their milk comes from.

All farm visits include watching the cows eat. It may not be the most exciting

place to visit but it's my favorite spot to explain how

 the cows eat a balanced,nutritious diet everyday  to produce high-quality milk. 

Spring break gave me  the opportunity to share how we care for our dairy cows

 everyday from the milking parlor to the feed barn and all the chores in between

 that are required to care for our land and the animals but most of all,

 I've got new friends that share my love for milk!

Dairy Q&A

                                                                       Question:

                           How long does a baby calf live in a pen with that little white building?

      Answer:

Our  newborn calves are  placed in an  individual hutch (little white building) 

within the first twelve hours after birth. We are able to monitor each calf

 closely for any feeding or  health issues and provide a more protected environment.

 In eight weeks, the calves will be removed from the hutch and taken to a small

 pasture with a group of calves of similar age and size.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Even on a rainy gray day, there's a touch of spring beauty to enjoy

 as we work down on the dairy farm. 

                                                   I'm thankful for the blessings of spring--

                                                      to live in a world of new beginnings.

Lovin' on Agriculture

What's not to love about agriculture? Agriculture is  vitally important in our everyday lives.

 National Ag Day gives us a special opportunity to celebrate and give a little extra love for

 what we often take for granted.

Agriculture is celebrated on National Ag Day to appreciate :

• the value it brings to our everyday lives 
• how it improves and  maintains a strong economy
• the role it plays in providing abundant and affordable products
• how food and fiber products are produced

This year's national  theme is "Agriculture: Stewards of a Healthy Planet".
 It's obvious that with limited resources and more people (9 billion) to feed by 2050,

 producing more food and agricultural products will require all of us working together
 to conserve and preserve all along the production and farm to market  path.
 Dairy farm families across the United States are working every day to produce high

 quality milk using proven science and technologies.

Here's a few ag facts to celebrate...

• One U.S. farm feeds 168 people.
• 97% of U.S. farms are family owned
• Total U.S. crop yield (tons per acre) has increased more than 360% since 1950.
• Dairy farms produce a gallon of milk using 95 percent less land, and 65 percent 
• less water while producing 76 percent less manure compared with 1944.

                         You're invited to join us for a little lovin' on Arkansas agriculture at our 

                                                         Benton County Ag Day celebration 

                       being held at the Northwest Arkansas  Community College from 1-4 p.m. 

                                                                      Happy Ag Day

                                                          from down on the dairy farm!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

In just a few days these heifers will have their first calf.

It's one of my favorite spring time activities that happens down on the dairy farm.

Spring is  even more exciting this year because we are looking forward

 to welcoming the fifth generation to our family farm.

I'm thankful for the opportunity we had to gather this herd of grandmothers

 and soon to be grandmothers to celebrate in advance with a few gifts

 and  motherly words of advice.

We don't know her name yet but obviously

 she will be udderly adorable!

Signs of the Season

I'm not quite ready to believe that spring  has arrived in the

 first week of March but ready or not, I'm seeing the signs of the season...

 getting ready for spring plowing and planting,

 heifers are quickly approaching the birth of their first calf,

and

  daylight savings time begins this Sunday.

The cows don't seem to notice the time change but losing that 

hour of sleep is the farmer's kick-off for spring down on the dairy farm!

Savor the Flavor

                           What flavors will you savor during National Nutrition Month?

National Nutrition Month strives to make us more aware

 of the importance of making informed food choices and developing 

sound eating and physical activity habits.

I'm planning to start  celebrating National Nutrition Month savoring the flavors of Mango-Curry Chicken Salad!  

It's a recipe developed by Chef Kevin Millonzi, Executive Chef/Owner of Restaurant PROV and Atomic Catering Providence for the National Dairy Council.

Mango-Curry Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups (1/2 inch pieces) grilled skinless,boneless chicken breasts

1/4 cup plain, nonfat yogurt

1 teaspoon curry

1/4 cup cubed mango

1 cup dried sweetened cranberries

1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup Mozzarella, cut into small cubes

Directions:

Grill chicken breasts, cut into small pieces and set aside. In a medium bowl, blend yogurt and curry with a whisk and stir in chicken,mango,cranberries,walnuts and Mozzarella. Mix well and serve on lettuce leaves if desired.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

At last month's Quorum Court meeting, Benton County received

 the designation as a Purple Heart County.

We're now honored to be  on the list of counties and cities that participate in 

honoring our veterans that have been wounded or killed by 

enemy forces while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

I'm thankful for the men and women who have made

 the ultimate sacrifice to insure our freedom.