Dairy Farmers Committed to Community

Our neighbor's corn didn't check the calendar for the July 4th holiday schedule so Ryan and the boys spent most of the day chopping the corn and hauling it to our neighbor's farm. It's definitely not a good corn crop but any crop is better than none when you are experiencing a season of drought.

It was a typical hot,dusty July 4th!

 The drought we're experiencing in Northwest Arkansas makes harvesting any crop crucial and it's definitely the time for farmers to work together  to harvest available feed for our animals.

 Working with our neighbor to provide feed for his cattle is a great example of how our contributions to the local economy are measured not only in dollars and cents, but also in the well-being of the community where we live and work. 

Arkansas Scrub Cow Extinction

While researching for information about agriculture history in Benton County, I learned  how the dairy industry evolved in Northwest Arkansas. In the late 1920's and early 1930's, Arkansas "scrub" cows produced not more than a gallon or two of milk a day and had a butterfat content lower than today's standards. With limited production from the family cow and only occasional surplus to sell, most farmers were content with status quo. Status quo was pushed out of the way in the early 1930's by drought and disease that opened the door to improved cattle genetics that lead to improved milk production without increasing the feed cost. Dairy herd improvements led to the extinction of the Arkansas "scrub"cow.

Extinction of the Arkansas "scrub" cow brought increased productivity that led to the development of markets for the milk. In 1947 Kraft opened the Bentonville plant. It was recorded that 740 producers provided 77,000 pounds of milk in 10 gallon cans on 18 routes. The plant was originally equipped to produce cheddar cheese but later changed to Swiss production. Today the plant produces cheese product ingredients.

On opening day of the Kraft Plant, five thousand people came to the rural town of Bentonville to celebrate and tour the plant. It was stated that people came from four states in wagons,battered pick-up trucks,and on horseback. I found this even more interesting when my mother told me that she was marching in the parade with the Bentonville High School Band for this special celebration!
 

Learning about Benton County's dairy industry history has given me a greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication of Arkansas dairy farmers and industry leaders that blazed the trail for the fourth generation of dairy farmers in my own family! 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Last week I was honored to represent Arkansas dairy farmers when Governor Mike Beebe and First Lady Ginger Beebe signed the pledge of support for Fuel Up to Play 60.  Arkansas already  has 900 schools participating in this dairy farmer funded program that is designed to empower students to make healthy nutritional choices and get the needed 60 minutes of activity every day.  I'm thankful for the impact that Fuel Up to Play 60 will have in empowering students across our state to "be healthy,get active and make a difference."

"Be Healthy,Get Active,and Make a Difference"

Can you take the pledge "be healthy,get active, and make a difference"?  Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe and First Lady Ginger Beebe made that pledge today to show support for Fuel Up to Play 60 in Arkansas schools. The pledge ceremony was also attended by students and faculty from the Weiner school district, four Arkansas dairy farmers,and Midwest Dairy staff.

Fuel Up to Play 60 brings tools and resources to schools to involve students in learning how to make nutritious choices and engage in sixty minutes of activity everyday for long lasting good health. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a direct response to the childhood obesity epidemic we face in Arkansas and across the nation. It is funded by dairy farmers in partnership with the National Dairy Council, the National Football League, and the United States Department of Agriculture. Detailed information about Fuel Up to Play 60 can be found at http://www.midwestdairy.com/.

As a dairy farmer, I loved listening to the 9th grade student, Joshua Lucero describe with enthusiasm how he got involved with the Fuel Up to Play 60 program as a 7th grader in the Weiner school district.  Although Weiner is a small rural school district, he utilized technology and his computer skills to develop a power point presentation that he and other students shared to spread the word about making healthy choices and getting the needed sixty minutes of exercise everyday.  His teacher told us that he met her in  the parking lot every morning to make sure she accomplished every necessary detail to achieve success in the program. Today was proof that his persistence paid off!

Representing Arkansas dairy farmers at this celebration of support was an awesome experience. Today more than  400,000 students represented in 900 schools across Arkansas are participating in Fuel Up to Play 60.   Dairy farmers are making a difference everyday as we work to produce a healthy product and support programs like Fuel Up to Play 60 to encourage children and adults to "be healthy,get active and make a difference".  Will you take the pledge?