Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Twenty nine years ago a few  Benton County dedicated to 

dairy volunteers began what  we know as Dairy Days 

in the month of June. 

The reason for beginning Dairy Days was to provide another event

 for 4-H and FFA kids to show their dairy cattle and provide more 

dairy learning experiences.  Twenty-nine years later, 

the purpose is the same with expansion to include kids from 4 states.

 4-State Dairy Days  is an all youth dairy show  and competitions for

 kids from Oklahoma,Kansas,Missouri, and Arkansas promoting youth 

participation in dairy cattle showing and dairy educational events. 

I'm thankful for the dedicated organizers and businesses that support 

4-State Dairy Days,

 for the multi-generation family members involved in dairy activities,

for the skills learned with dairy project animals,

and 

for the life lessons learned by caring for dairy 

animals in a fun family oriented environment.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Would you know how to create a recipe from a list of food ingredients 

and explain everything about your prepared dish that included

 nutrient content, nutritional value,cost and food safety?

Ten teams of Benton County 4-H members rose to the occasion of participating

 in the first Benton County 4-H Food Challenge contest last weekend.

As one of the judges representing Benton County Farm Bureau,

 I can say first hand that it was a blast watching kids

 from age 9 to 19 work together for learning and competition.

I'm thankful for the many youth activities supported 

by Benton County Farm Bureau and for the members

 and leaders of Benton County 4-H.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

If you need a little inspiration this week, head to the Benton County Fair.

The livestock barn is full of young people  showing livestock

  as part of their 4-H or FFA  projects. Not everyone will go home with an

 assortment of  fair ribbons but  each young person  will have learned 

valuable life lessons that will help them succeed in life.

                                       I'm thankful for the dedication of each young person
                                  entering the fair  and the many adult leaders that guide them
                                 throughout the  year as they work on their individual projects.

Dairy Recipe Winner

If you're looking for a fun and delicious  party idea, this dairy recipe is it!  Natalie Lester of Williford,Arkansas (Sharp County) placed second in the Arkansas Farm Bureau Dairy Foods Contest with Strawberry Pecan Pretzel Parfaits.
Served in a small mason jar, tied with a pretty ribbon, it would be perfect for any party.

As we watched Natalie prepare this recipe, it is obvious that she mastered whipping cream. If you follow her recipe directions, you too can be successful!

Strawberry Pecan Pretzel Parfaits

Ingredients:

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups pretzels,crushed
1 cup pecans,chopped
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups butter,melted
4 cups strawberries,diced
2 (8 oz.) cream cheese,softened
2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Whipped Cream: The most important step before you begin to make homemade whipped cream is to make sure everything is really cold. Place the beater and the bowl of the mixer in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Also place the heavy whipping cream, in the freezer at the same time. Place the cream, 1/4 cup granulated  sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Turn the mixer on low at first. until all the ingredients are fully mixed. Then turn the mixer on medium speed. Medium speed is key to making the best homemade whipped cream. Whip the cream until almost stiff peaks form. The best way to tell if it is ready, is when the beaters are lifted out of the cream you can see little peaks that do not fall right away. If yo mix too much you will make butter. The best whipped cream is right before it gets to the butter stage.

For remainder of the dish: Mix together crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, brown sugar and melted butter. Spread on a large baking sheet with sides and bake at 400 degrees for 7 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool and then break it into small pieces. Beat together softened cream cheese,remainder of granulated sugar and vanilla. Fold in whipped cream mixture. Now layer in the jar as follows: pretzel mixture, strawberries, cream cheese mixture and sprinkle a little more of the pretzel mixture on top.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Julie Griffin of Benton County was selected to serve as the 

 2016 Arkansas Dairy Ambassador

 during the 4 State Dairy Days Show in Benton County last weekend. 

I'm thankful for the dairy programs that are available for youth participation,

for the opportunity to watch the growth and development of our youth

 and

                                                     for the adult leaders that invest their
                                                     time and talents for our young people.

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Last Saturday I participated in the first  Benton County 4-H Food Safety Workshop 

It was a great example of teaching our youth an invaluable  life skill. 

I'm thankful for the dedication of our 4-H leaders 

and Benton County Extension agents who continuously strive to

 "make the best better"  

in the classroom,

at the Farmer's Market,

or 

connecting the past to the present.

I'm  thankful for these friends!