Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

To cut or not to cut? 

That has been the question most discussed 

during this season of rain not only down on the dairy farm

but by farmers across  Benton County and many parts of Arkansas.

Hay is an important crop for all livestock farmers and growing

it is an important part of  our farm's  sustainability.

Many fields are still too wet to cut but after much discussion

it was decided to take our chances and start with the small field 

next to the house so it can be fertilized for the next cutting.

Too much rain has created the need for more creative planning and

adjusting our usual work schedules but

I'm thankful for the rain because without it,

nothing grows.

Too much or too little of anything, reminds us who is in control.

Even the lilies know that! 

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

I come from a long line of homemade ice cream eaters.

When I was small child, it was my delight to fight with the 

visiting cousin on who would sit on the ice cream freezer 

while our Papa (our Grandpa)  turned the crank.

The next best memory was helping to clean the paddle 

that was full of creamy ice cream.

Our electric ice cream freezer has changed the work 

that goes into making the ice cream, but our 

 memory making continues with the next generation.

As you can see, this was serious business for my Mother

and my granddaughter Hattie!

                                                   
                                          I'm thankful for the holidays that bring us together
                                              as a family and  these special milk memories
                                                         made down on the dairy farm!

Happy Father's Day

From down on the dairy farm,

from our family to yours,

                                                       Happy Father's Day!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                    We've been celebrating June Dairy Month since the first
                                      day of June but it's now official in Arkansas according
                                    to the proclamation signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson
                                                        at the Capital in Little Rock.
                                   
                                                             Heidi from Hiland Dairy
                                                brought a lot of smiles for the camera!

and shared a variety of award winning Hiland dairy 

products with the Governor.

                                     
                                               I'm thankful to be an Arkansas dairy farmer
                                             and for those that work in the dairy industry to
                                           make sure nutritious and delicious  dairy products
                                             are available everyday  for Arkansas consumers.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                 
                                         Arkansas Farm Bureau celebrated June Dairy Month
                                     by sponsoring the Dairy Foods Contest today in Little Rock.
                                            This contest has been a youth activity sponsored
                                            by Arkansas Farm Bureau  for more than 60 years.
                                     
                                         As a dairy farmer, I was honored to be one of three judges
                                               with the task of selecting the best dairy  recipe prepared
                                            and served by 4-H contestants from across the state.
                                                           It was a hard but very delightful  job!

                                        Today's first place winner of the Main Dish category
                                                              was Kalin Key of Eldorado. 
                                        Her recipe was "Almost Cajun Creamy Shrimp and Grits."
                                          I loved her explanation of the title--" I live close to the
                                                         Louisiana line, so it's almost Cajun".

                                              I'm thankful for Arkansas Farm Bureau's work
                                               to provide learning experiences for our youth

and

promotion of dairy!

                                     
                                                             

World Milk Day

                           
                                             What better way to kick off June Dairy Month
                                                      than by celebrating World Milk Day! 

                                                      Through out the month of June, we are
                                          celebrating the amazing things real dairy has done.
                                   One of our ways to celebrate is to ask you to join us in
                                       providing milk to   kids facing hunger this summer.

                                More than 18 million kids may miss out on milk's nutrition
                          when  they lose access to free and reduced-price meal programs
                           at school. Milk is one of the most requested items at food banks.
                                but despite the demand, it's one of the least donated items.

You can celebrate and provide nourishment to kids by donating at

milklife.com.

Happy World Milk Day!