10 Reasons I Love Dairy

I'm joining a few friends in celebrating June Dairy Month by sharing 10 reasons I love dairy. A lot of my reasons are connected to the work of the National Dairy Council that was founded  in 1915 by dairy farmers.   

10 Reasons I Love Dairy

I=infinite uses of ingredients 

L=leader in nutrition research and  school health and                              wellness programs like Fuel Up to Play 60

O=opportunity for improved nutrition through proven science and         research

V=Value and Variety

E=Everyday effort by local farmers to produce safe,healthy milk

D=Delicious

A=Academics to support the fight against poor nutrition,inactivity         and overweight/obesity among our nation's youth

I=Instruction  for healthy nutrition validated by research

R=Refuel with dairy proven by research 

Y=Yummy  (Dairy Good Cookbook )

                       The reasons to love dairy don't end here.

               Check out more from DairyMakesSense.

Happy Father's Day!

Pictures often tell the story far better than any words.

I love these snapshots of cherished moments of how a father's love shaped the life of the dairy farmer I love.

It's where the commitment for caring for the animals and providing high-quality milk began and now  continues with the next generation of dairy farmers.

 

                                                                   Happy Father's Day 

                                                             from down on the dairy farm!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Last week I was invited to give an update on county government issues to the Bentonville Early Riser  Rotary Club. Since it's June Dairy Month, it seemed only natural to include a little dairy info,too! 

Rex introduced me to the group and explained that our  friendship  began when I worked for him in the drug store during my high school years. It was the first time I had the opportunity to give Rex his proper thank-you for being the reason I became a dairy farmer. If I hadn't worked for him in high school, Ryan's mother would never have given me a chance with her dairy farmer son! 

I'm thankful for all the members in my Bentonville community that mentored me  in serving others  such as my piano teacher,Araminta, my Girl Scout leader,Marilyn, that led us   from 2nd grade till I graduated, and for Rex, the local pharmacist, that taught me that the customer is always right !

I'm thankful to be Arkansas Grown!

Arkansas Dairy Ambassador 2015

Just when you thought nothing else could fit into the schedule of activities at the 4-State Dairy Days--

we had the Arkansas Dairy Ambassador contest!

The Dairy Ambassador Program criteria consists of three levels: promotion activities, an interview with a panel of judges, and an oral presentation.

I'll be the first to admit, the conditions  for doing an oral presentation with cows mooing and fans blowing to keep everyone comfortable are not ideal,  but the setting is perfect for the topic of

 "What's so Great about Dairy!"

Prior to the interview and presentation, the contestants have also participated in a Farm Bureau  dairy recipe contest in their county and promoted dairy in a second activity.

It takes enthusiasm and interest in dairy cows and the dairy industry to be named the Arkansas Dairy Ambassador!

Congratulations to

Colte Mosher

 Arkansas Dairy Ambassador 2015

A special thanks to Arkansas Farm Bureau for supporting this youth program!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Even when I'm feeling overwhelmed by the busy dairy farm schedule during June Dairy Month,

I'm thankful for peaceful scenes of the dairy cows

 resting in the field enjoying  their stress free life on the dairy farm! 

                                                                 

4 State Dairy Days Celebrates June Dairy Month

It just wouldn't be June Dairy Month

 without a dairy cattle show,

an abundance of milk,cheese and  ice cream, 

and an Arkansas Dairy Ambassador Contest!

                                                                                     
                                                  You can join me and my dairy farm friends
                              for an action packed,fun  June Dairy Month celebration this weekend
                                                                         June 12-14
                                       at the Benton County Fairgrounds for the 4-State Dairy Days!

                                                               

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Birthdays are always special days on the dairy farm...

... days of reflection and thankfulness.

I'm thankful for the blessings of  faith,family,friends, farming

and

                                                 that  there was  just one candle--instead of 60!