May Days on the Dairy

 

On top of the daily chores of milking and caring for our dairy cattle, May is busy with harvesting spring crops, preparing to mow hay and plant silage crops. Busy May days often feel like what I call  tail chasing days on the dairy farm--which job should we tackle first because everything needs to be done at the same time!

 

 

 

As I walk from the house to the calf hutches, I'm calmed and refreshed as I enjoy the beauty of May.

 

 

 

Old fashioned flowers like these iris are a beauty to behold in the month of May!

 

 

 

There's nothing like May Days on the Dairy!

 

 

 

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

Tuesday morning found me celebrating with students   from Arkansas,Missouri and Oklahoma for the difference they have made in their schools by participating in Fuel Up to Play 60. The day was filled with fun activities to reward their successful participation  to motivate other students to

 "Eat healthy,get active and make a difference.".

 

The morning started with a 'get moving' activity,

 

 

a test of nutrition knowledge with lunch tray relay,

 

 

 motivational talks  by NFL referee Walt Coleman and retired NFL player Steve Conley,

 

                                                and lots of smiles and pictures to take home.

                                                         As a dairy farmer,mom and nurse,
     I'm thankful for the difference that Fuel Up To Play 60 is making in the health of our children.

Fuel Up To Play 60 Fast Facts

Have you heard of Fuel Up to Play 60?  As a dairy farmer, I'm pretty pumped up about this in-school  program that encourages kids to choose nutrient-rich foods first and get out and play at least 60 minutes every day. Fuel Up to Play 60 is a direct response to dairy farmers' concerns that many U.S. children are overweight and undernourished.

Midwest Dairy Council states these top 10 fast facts:

Fuel Up To Play 60 Is...

1. An in-school program offered to all U.S. schools at no cost
2. Part of wellness efforts in more than 72,000 schools across the U.S.,including more than 10,000 in the Midwest
3. Founded by the National Dairy council and the NFL, in cooperation with the USDA.
4. Designed to empower students to choose nutrient-rich foods, such as low-fat dairy foods, fruits,vegetables and whole grains, and get out and play at least 60 minutes everyday
5. Led by students, and guided by adult school leaders
6. Motivated by research that says well-nourished and physically active students have stronger academic achievement
7. Customaizable through downloadable resources,tools and in-school promotional materials, plus fun incentives and rewards
8. Endorsed by Action for Healthy Kids,American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dietetic Association,National Hispanic Medical Association,National Medical Association,School Nutrition Association,U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,and U.S. Department of Education
9. Aligned with First Lady Michelle Obama's childhood obesity platform, "Let's Move"
10. Complementary to other school wellness initiatives,including the USDA's Healthier U.S. School Challenge

You can find more information about the program and how your school  can become involved at Fuel Up to Play 60.

Happy Mother's Day!

Our Mother's Day tradition includes  a family dinner topped with a special dessert. Crusty Cream Cheese Pound Cake, topped with strawberries and vanilla ice cream is a perfect choice!


Crusty Cream Cheese Pound Cake

1 cup butter,softened
1/2 cup shortening
3 cups sugar
1 8oz cream cheese,softened
3 cups sifted flour
6 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Cream butter and shortening; gradually add sugar,beating well at medium speed. Add cream cheese,beating well until light and fluffy. Alternately add flour and eggs, beginnng and ending with flour. Stir in vanilla.

Pour batter into greased and floured 10 inch tube pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until pick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack.

                                                                               
                                                                         
                                                       From our dairy farm family to you--

                                                              HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

Last Friday we had our first and only  May snow in Northwest Arkansas!

 

 

 

I'm thankful that my Lily of the Valley (May's flower)

 wasn't one bit shocked by the sudden return to winter!

May's Farm Fun

For the last seven or eight years, the Benton County Farm Bureau Women's Committee has sponsored an elementary school  program in May  titled "Farm Expo". With the help of  volunteers from Arkansas Farm Bureau and the Arkansas Beef Council, we're able to provide hands-on fun with  information about Arkansas agriculture and how farmers provide safe food while protecting the environment.

 

Friday morning we shared Farm Expo with Bonnie Grimes Elementary third graders.

 

Students learned about...

cotton,

 

food safety,

 

poultry,

water,

 

chicks,

 

soil,

rice,

 

dairy,

                                                                                and beef.

                                         I'm sure the students had as much fun as the volunteers!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

 

It was a happy May Day when I found the first lilac bloom and iris while enjoying the sunshine this morning.

 

                                                                            
                                   I'm thankful for the April showers that bring May flowers!