Showing posts with label milk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label milk. Show all posts

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Farm Snow Days

What do we do on snow days down on the dairy farm?
The same as we do on a summer day!

Feeding the calves and milking the cows are chores that we
do every day of the year regardless of the weather or the 
holiday schedule.
I will say that snow days serve to remind us to enjoy 
the beauty of nature  and remind me of how blessed
we are to live and work on the farm  and experience
God's creation everyday.

I'm not particularly fond of cold weather but snow days
do alter the schedule to  doing the absolutely necessary chores
and sometimes allow for unexpected  time together with our family.


Snow days are always good days for enjoying 
a little chocolate cream pie
 (made with real whole milk, of course),


 a cup of coffee made from this week's family  find
of an antique coffee percolator,


and a few family  stories about the good old days
 down on the dairy farm!


                               
 

Monday, March 15, 2021

National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month!

As a dairy farmer, I am proud to work everyday to 
produce milk, a food that  contains nutrients, including
 calcium, potassium, protein and phosphorus; plus,
 it's fortified with vitamins A and D.



It's the perfect month for learning a little more about
the true difference in the milk you find on your grocery shelf.


       Thanks to the National Dairy Council for providing this 
        comparative information and for their commitment since 
    1915 in taking a leading role in the fight against poor
         nutrition,  inactivity and obesity among our nation's youth.


 

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                             

                                      

    After carefully walking around on ice last week,  we were  extremely happy for the    snow that made it easier and safer for us and the cows to  gain a little bit of traction.   We prepared as best would could for what we consider normal  cold weather but nothing on the farm works when temperatures drop below zero and hover in the teens through out the day.


From the equipment in the milk barn to the water tanks, well houses,
 and ponds, everything has been frozen.  Every minute of each day 
has been busy with hauling water, breaking ice on the ponds,
  feeding the cows and repairing damaged equipment to get 
the milking done. 

If you want to see a farmer's determination to care for his animals,
come on  down to the dairy farm and I will show you  my family of farmers.

 

I'm thankful that my family and our employees have
been kept safe this week  as we worked together
down on the dairy farm.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday


 
Although the Pandemic has brought many 
changes to our lifestyles and cramped our 
 social gathering plans for routine and holiday events,
it has not stopped the essential work down on the
dairy farm.
We are still milking cows twice daily, seven days a week
and providing the feed and care that the cows and calves
require daily. We are proud to be considered essential
workers to provide food for our fellow Americans.

I'm thankful that  my family and our employees have remained in 
good health and able to continue the daily tasks on the dairy farm.


All across our community, we have essential workers that
are performing jobs that we often take for granted.
With the help of Midwest Dairy, our dairy promotion group,
we are able to thank a few of our essential workers with
a token of our appreciation.
This week I wrapped up an Undeniably Dairy thermos cup and
warm stocking cap  to give to our rural mailman.


                                                 I'm thankful for every essential worker and

                                                    this week I celebrate the rural mailman 

                                                   for a job well done and much appreciated!

                                                        


Thursday, November 5, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday



Voting is such a privilege.
Standing in line last week during early voting, I 
was inspired by the number of people that 
were standing in line with me to cast their vote.
Regardless of the outcome of any election,
I am thankful to be an American farmer that enjoys 
the freedom to live and work


everyday down on our Arkansas dairy farm
caring  for the land we call home


                                              and for the beautiful cows that provide healthy
                                                  nutritious milk for your family and mine.
           

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                           Resting is part of the job for these dairy cows that 
                                      are patiently waiting to give birth in just a few short days.

                                     Each of these cows were moved from the milking herd to 
                                               the "dry" herd for a two month rest before calving.
                                            They are fed a special diet, provided plenty of water 
                                       and checked frequently  for any changes in behavior that
                                                             might indicate time for calving.
                                      

Even though we started the day with no sunshine after yesterday's rain,
I'm thankful for the picture of rest that brings a calmness
to the chaos around us and that what we do every day matters
to you and your family as we work to produce 
high-quality,nutritious milk down on the dairy farm.





Thursday, April 16, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

With mud puddles in abundance and the crop fields too wet for
planting, it's easy to forget how fortunate we are for the
 clean water our cows drink everyday. 

Water is an important nutrient in the cow's diet and without
the availability of at least a bathtub full of water everyday, 
a milking cow will produce less milk.

 Even though these cows at the water tank are
 actually at rest in the pasture waiting to have a baby,
 water is important as they prepare for delivery.


I'm thankful for these daily reminders of how blessed we
are with the basics of everyday life down on the dairy farm
and

                                                           
                                              for our opportunity to share our blessings with
                                                                  the next generation!

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Yesterday we provided a dairy farm tour for a kindergarten teacher
wanting  to share an adventure with her students   via phone video. 
Our social distancing was maintained as we fed baby calves, 
observed milking and feeding of the cows.
The farm tour provided fun for both visitor and  farmer
as we shared our passion for everyday life on the farm that 
brings  nutritious milk to everyone's table. 

                                   
                                         I'm thankful for the joy in sharing  our love of dairy
                                          with others and for dedicated teachers  seeking
                                         creative  ways to keep our children  involved in the
                                          education  process during the challenges provided
                                                                     by COVID-19.



Thursday, April 2, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday


More than 10 years ago , my Mother-in-Love Bonnah Lyn  presented me
with this blooming crab apple tree. Even though it's a bit crooked 
from a couple of bad storms causing a twist and loss of a  few branches,
you can't help but enjoy its beauty during the period of blooming 
and the sweet memories of my tree loving mother-in-law. 


There's a lot of assurance and hope in the unfolding of spring
 and  the routine  of daily life down on the dairy farm.
The impact of COVID-19 has removed alot of our normal in everyday
life but it can not remove our joy and hope!
I'm thankful that we are able to continue milking the cows, 
feeding the cows and calves  and producing high-quality milk
that feeds families in our community.


"Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually
grant you peace in every circumstance."
                   --II Thessalonians 3:16

Thursday, January 9, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Don't you just love a new baby?
Through the month of December we've 
welcomed twenty new babies to the farm. 

Each new heifer will be raised to be the next
generation of dairy milking cows on our farm.
This development occurs over a 2 to 3 year period 
as each animal matures and gives birth to their first calf.

You might say Christmas gifts are given  year round
down on the dairy farm!

                                   I'm thankful for the gift we receive of watching each calf
                                     grow  and develop into a milking cow that will provide
                                             high-quality milk for our family and yours.
                               

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Happy New Year!

There's nothing more heart warming on a chilly day
down on the dairy farm than the delight of a child or
adult sharing in the care of a new calf on their first 
 dairy farm visit.

This farm visit was unique in that it was a special request
of my nursing school roommate to bring her niece's family
to the dairy farm while she was home for the holidays.
Aunt Nancy will forever be the favorite aunt!

We timed the visit to coincide with the afternoon calf feeding
so that each child could have the opportunity to
bottle feed a new calf. 

It was a precious time of sharing about the love we
have for caring for our animals and the work 
we do every day to provide safe, nutritious milk.

                                           
                                                  I'm thankful for the opportunity to share
                                           about dairy farming and agriculture to consumers
                                                of all ages and for the blessing of friendship.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

October Treat

Even though we can buy apples year round, there's just something special when given apples from a friend's own tree.  We don't know the name of the apple but I would describe them as a mild Granny Smith--slightly tart but perfect for baking in cake or pie.  Kicking off October with a new cake recipe that filled the kitchen with smells of cinnamon and apples seemed the perfect way to celebrate the gift of fall apples. I read through a lot of recipes posted on line and even though many were very similar to the one I chose, I trusted my old cookbook,Sassafras!

The recipe was easy to make and the brown sugar icing was finger lickin' good!
I'm pretty sure this cake will be a family favorite especially when you add a dip or two
of vanilla ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon.


Alley Spring Apple Cake

                                                              Ingredients:
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs, well beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4  teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups peeled, chopped apples
1 cup chopped pecans

Brown Sugar Icing:
 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
 1/2 cup butter
 1/4 cup evaporated milk
 1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously grease a bundt pan. In a large bowl, mix oil, sugar and eggs.
Add vanilla. Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, soda and salt.
Blend into oil mixture. Fold in apples and pecans. Pour into prepared pan and bake 55 to 60 minutes.
Remove cake from pan and cool. To prepare icing, bring brown sugar, butter and milk to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Beat with a spoon until icing is cool. Drizzle over cake. Serves 12 to 15.


                                                        Happy October!

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

"Foodie Friday"  was a fun food experience provided
during the Megaphone 19 Influencer conference.
We started the event by tasting our way through local food businesses at 
8th Street Market  and ending with cheese and wine pairing.

My favorite experience was the demonstration of Brightwater 
culinary chef Aria Kagan making Fresh Mozzarella.

Chef Kagan gave us the step by step directions.
Although she made it look easy, I think I would want to practice a few times before
the party!


Fresh Mozzarella requires the use of  a water bath made of 4 cups warm 
water plus 2 Tablespoons salt and 2 pounds of fresh Mozzarella curd.

My friend Kerri captured the fun part of this recipe perfectly as Chef Kagan 
was working with the cheese.


I may never attempt making fresh mozzarella but 
I am thankful to be a producer of the milk that brings great joy 
And provides many delicious and nutritious dairy foods.
I

Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Key Lime Pound Cake

 A  few weeks ago, I found this delicious Key Lime Pound Cake while scrolling on Facebook.
Many thanks to the author of The Irreverent Kitchen for sharing this dairy packed recipe!

From the reviews of family and friends, I'm adding this to my cake recipe collection!


Key Lime Pound Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:
4 sticks butter, room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 large eggs, room temperature                                                         
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup fresh key lime juice
1/4 cup evaporated milk
4 teaspoons key lime zest,minced
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Cover inside of 10 inch tube pan with non-stick spray.
Beat butter with stand-up or electric hand-held mixer until light in color and fluffy.
One at a time, add the eggs and beat only until yellow disappears.
Stir juice, milk,zest and vanilla together.
Now mixing by hand, gradually add flour to the butter egg mixture alternating with the key lime juice
and milk mixture. Begin and end with flour. Mix well but just enough to incorporate all ingredients.
Pour evenly into the tube pan and tap pan on the counter to loosen any air bubbles.
Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.
cool on a cooling rack for 20-25 minutes in the pan then transfer from pan to cooling rack and allow to cool another hour or until completely cool.

Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:
3-4 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
4 cups confectioner's sugar,sifted
1/2 cup freshly squeezed key lime juice
2-3 teaspoons key lime zest
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until well mixed.
Add confectioner's sugar  and beat well until completely smooth and fluffy.
Add key lime juice, zest, and vanilla and mix until all ingredients are incorporated.
Ice cake.
The excess icing was used to fill the middle hole of the cake and when the cake is served, icing can
be dolloped next to the side of a slice of cake.

                                     
                                               Don't forget your dips of vanilla ice cream!

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

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!

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Even though you don't see any black spots on this new calf, it is a Holstein.
There's nothing prettier than a pure  white calf  on bright spring green grass.
Each calf is unique and has characteristics of its parents.
In fact, every calf's spots or markings are unique to them.

What I love about all of the dairy cows, no matter what kind or color,
they provide us with delicious, nutritious  milk.


I'm thankful for the new spring calf crop
and the milk that is produced for all of us to enjoy.


What kind of world would it be without 
butter and cream cheese to use when baking Easter
 goodies like Coconut Cake with Pineapple Filling?
                               
                                                     

Friday, January 11, 2019

Happy National Milk Day!

National Milk Day commemorates the day  in our dairy history when milk 
deliveries were made in glass bottles. Alexander Campbell of
 New York Dairy Company is believed
to be the first to make deliveries.

It's fitting to continue celebrating this event because it 
represents the ongoing changes in our industry that have brought 
convenience and a wide variety of  products to give us more 
options in feeding our families. 

From home deliveries


to the wide variety of dairy products available today,


as the saying goes,"we've come a long way,baby."


                                   I'm raising my glass to day in celebration of our dairy industry.
                                                                   Will you join me?
                     
                                                  Happy National Milk Day!

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday


I've been to Baker Elementary for many different volunteer programs but
this time I was a speaker for Career Day.
Actually, I found out, I was the first farmer that had ever come to 
their Career Day event. Needless to say, I felt pretty special.
It's not every student that is invited back to where their school career began!


I'm thankful for modern technology that allowed me to 
carry our farm from classroom to classroom on a power point
showing  what we do everyday
 to care for our animals and the land we call home
and produce the milk they enjoy everyday at school or home.



                                       Many thanks to our dedicated teachers and counselors
                                      providing experiences like Career Day for every student.
                                       


Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

When my job of delivering net wrap to the field was complete,
 I took advantage of the opportunity to ride around  with Ryan
 in the truck and trailer to haul bales to the wrapper.
This crop of hay-grazer will be used to feed our dairy cows this
fall and winter in their daily feed ration.


Even though we work together every day on the farm, 
we're not often all working on the same job.


I savored the moments as I watched the farmers working together.
  
                       
                                             
                                       I'm thankful for this crop that grew in spite of the drought
                                                                               and
                                           for the steadfast faith and hard work of the farmer.                                                                               

                           
                                         

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Even though we have a daily routine that includes milking our cows
 and feeding all the animals on the farm, today was anything but ordinary.
During fall or spring calving season, 
it's not unusual to have from one to three calves born.
Today we had a total of nine new babies!

It was anything but a routine afternoon  as Ryan and I worked to
give each new calf a bottle of colostrum and vaccinations to prevent illness.


I'm thankful for these kind of interruptions of our daily routine
that bring smiles to our dairy farmer faces
                                                                                  and

                                         for the new crop of calves for Hattie  to help  feed!