Dairy Recycling

As I was enjoying the spring sunshine and pulling weeds out of the flower bed, I was thinking about how many generations that our family has been on this farm. Our two sons are the fourth generation to live and work on our farm. Family farms like ours exist today because farmers live and work on the land and understand the importance of protecting natural resources for the next generation. Recycling cow manure is a good example of how farmers protect the environment for future generations.

To protect our land and make use of the nutrient-rich animal manure that our dairy cows produce, we follow a nutrient management plan that is designed specifically for our farm by professionals at the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. Using the nutrient rich manure that our cows produce to fertilize our land makes good economic sense because it decreases the amount of commercial fertilizer that we may need to purchase. Animal manure also conditions the soil and increases the water holding capacity.

Soil samples are collected and tested yearly from every crop field and pasture where we land apply the nutrient-rich manure. These soil tests will tell us how much nutrient/animal manure can be applied for adequate fertilization and guide us to limit application if necessary. Following our farm plan and soil testing are best management practices that protect our natural resources for us, our community and the next generation. Dairy recycling fits perfectly with the sustainability commitment of dairy farm families to farm in a way that makes the dairy industry, people, and the Earth economically,environmentally and socially better--now and for future generations. You can find more information about dairy sustainability at http://www.usdairy.com. Dairy recycling is just one of the reasons that farmers celebrate Earth Day everyday!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

As a volunteer for Benton County Farm Bureau,I presented a $250 garden grant check from Arkansas Farm Bureau to this Russell Jones Elementary School second grade teacher and her students. I was treated to a tour of their awesome school garden and they shared with me what they were learning about the garden and growing their own plants. I am thankful for enthusiastic teachers who invest their time and energy to teach students how food is produced using a practical hands on,get dirty approach! Who knows,there just might be a farmer in this garden of students!

Dairy Save-a-Trip Plan

Rising prices for gas and diesel fuel are creating challenges for all farmers and consumers. Increased food costs at the grocery store are due to increases in the cost of packaging and transportation caused by high fuel prices. Unlike other business owners, farmers do not pass on this increased fuel farm cost to consumers. As I looked out my kitchen window today, I observed the activities that occur everyday on our dairy farm such as mixing feed and feeding the dairy cows, hauling feed to young heifers,and driving to pastures to feed and check cattle. Every task requires the use of a tractor or a truck. We are constantly scratching our heads and trying to figure ways to be more efficient in our daily activities. We call this head scratching plan the Save-a-Trip Plan. Maintaining equipment and making every trip count are at the top of our being more efficient list. Every trip to town usually has several stops to make the most efficient use of time and fuel. Dairy farm families like all families are trying to save money during these tough economic times. Here are a few general tips for any Save-a-Trip plan:

• Drive more efficiently


• Keep your vehicle in shape


• Plan and combine trips


• At the pump, use the octane level you need

You can find more details for saving fuel at the federal trade commission site http://www.ftc.gov/ or http://fueleconomy.gov/. Common sense and Save-a-Trip make good economic sense on the farm or in the city!

Sensational Cheese Support

One thing I love about attending our Dairy Farmers of America cooperative annual meeting in Kansas City is the opportunity to taste new dairy products provided by a variety of dairy food companies. It also makes me proud to know that milk produced on family farms just like ours are providing the main ingredient for these tasty foods for all of us to enjoy. One of my favorite products is Borden Cheese. When you purchase Borden Cheese, you are supporting local dairy farm families just like mine. Two new flavors of cheese slices have been introduced in the Borden Singles Sensations product: 3 Cheese Italiano and Extra Sharp Cheddar. These two flavors join Hickory Smoked Swiss,Bacon Cheddar, Pepperjack, and Chipotle Cheddar. You may want to try this sandwich recipe for your family this weekend!

Meatball Grinder

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1 cup Italian breadcrumbs or panko

2 eggs,lightly beaten

1 garlic clove,minced

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian (flatleaf) parsley

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese,divided (3oz.)

2 (24-oz.) jars marinara sauce

4-6 hoagie rolls,split

8-12 slices Borden Three Cheese Italiano Singles Sensations

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine ground beef,breadcrumbs,eggs,garlic,parsley,1/2 cup Parmesan cheese,and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Shape into 1 1/2 inch meatballs. Place meatballs on a metal wire rack coated with nonstick cooking spray. Place rack in a foil-lined baking pan. Bake 20 minutes or until meatballs are browned and an instant-read thermometer registers 155 degrees F. Place marinara sauce in a large heavy pot over medium heat; Bring to boiling. Add meatballs; Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, 20 minutes. Preheat broiler to low. Place 4 or 5 meatballs and sauce into each roll. Top with 2 slices of Borden Three Cheese Italiano Singles Sensations. Place uncovered, on a broiler rack; place under broiler. Broil until cheese melts. Serve warm.

You can find more tasty recipes at http://www.friendsofelsie.com/. Thank-you for supporting your local dairy farm families!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

With the arrival of spring, I am thankful for warmer weather,the smell of fresh green grass and the miracle of new life on the farm! This baby Holstein calf was born just a couple of hours ago and being cared for by her mother while the dairy farmer watches over both.

Spring Break Breakfast

Spring has finally arrived! With every change of the season, I love spring because of the warmer days, new baby calves, the beauty of budding flowers and trees and spring break! Even though our work continues as usual on the dairy farm, we always look forward to a change in routine just like families that are enjoying spring break this week. Even on spring break, a nutritious breakfast is an important start to the day. I love peanut butter and chocolate milk so I'm suggesting you might change your breakfast routine and try a tasty shake!

Peanut Butter and Banana Breakfast Shake

1 cup of fat-free or 1% low-fat chocolate milk

1/2 cup frozen banana slices

1 tablespoon peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a blender; blend until smooth and creamy. Serve in tall glass or on-the-go container.

You can find nutritional facts about this recipe and other great dairy recipes at http://www.dairymakessense.com/.

Have a very dairy good spring break!

A Tribute to the American Farmer

Tucked away in a collection of newspaper clippings and personal memorabilia of my mother-in law's personal keepsakes was this poem about the American farmer. We celebrate the bounty of food in America because of the farmers across our nation. I do not know who wrote this piece but I do know it was clipped from some type of farm magazine. I am sharing this today as a tribute to all farmers and farm families that are working so hard everyday and embracing the challenges to provide food,fiber, and fuel for our citizens.

A Tribute to the American Farmer

I am only a farmer. I know the sun better than anyone. And the soil. And the wind. And the rain. I am the man who works with them. Who lives with them. Who loves them. And who sometimes fears them.

I am only a farmer. I am the sower of seeds. I am the tender of stock. I am the reaper of harvest. I am sweat. And tears. And pride.

I am only a farmer. I am the man the feeds the young. And the old. The weak. And the strong. I am the black earth of Spring. The green hills of Summer. The harvest gold of Autumn. And the cold white stillness of winter.

I am only a farmer. I am warm memories of the past. The steely reality of the present. And a hopeful dream of the future. I am an optimist. A thinker. A watcher. And a doer.

I am only a farmer. I live in a complex world. Made of simple things. And they are my source of joy. And hope. And comfort. I have walked the morning fogs. I have paused for the Summer song of the meadowlark. And I have savored the breeze off freshly cut hay. I have paused, remembering, by the stream I knew as a boy. I have felt the power of a thousand storms. And rejoiced in the fresh world left in their wake.

I am only a farmer. I am an accountant. Chemist. And doctor. I am midwife.And mechanic. I am seller. Trader. And buyer. I am husband. Helper. And partner to my wife. I am father. Friend. Comforter. And teacher to my children.

I am only a farmer. Not a man of riches. But a man of great wealth. I have learned to treasure life. And all things living. To respect their maker. And my own. I am humbled by the earth's bounty. And awed by endless rebirth. I am facinated by the marvelous intricacies of my world. And enriched by their beauty.

I am only a farmer. If a man can be truly free, then I truly am. The day. The week. The month. They have been entrusted to me. They are mine to spend. They are mine to invest. They are mine to use wisely. It is a solitary profession I have chosen. Or,perhaps, that I have been chosen for. A profession where there are no certainties. Where no guarantees are granted. No promises granted. No promises given. No excuses taken. I have but one man to answer to. One man to depend upon. One man to confide in. And in the quiet of the years,I have come to know him well.

I am only a farmer. In perserverance and creativity. And courage.

I am only a farmer. I am confidence. And ingenuity. And intelligence.

I am only a farmer. A seeker of excellence...And I will endure.