Dairy Farmers Fuel Up

Last week we provided a dairy farm tour for students from Helen Tyson Middle School.

These weren't just any students--these were Fuel Up to Play 60 students!

Sharing our farm with Fuel Up to Play 60 students made the day  even more

 special because as dairy farmers we are very proud  to be founding partners

 of this in-school health and wellness program that encourages

 physical activity and good nutrition among youth.

Through the Fuel Up to Play 60 program,  we're helping students

 create and implement activities that reward them for making healthy 

choices and create positive  change in their school.

There's nothing more inspiring to a dairy farmer than to 

share his passion with a young person that wants to know

 how milk gets into his glass,

what cows love to eat,

how calves are raised,

and

                                                   how Domino's  pizza shows up at the farm!
                                                             
                                                                         


                                                                           

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Just a few days ago, I was invited to participate in the Midwest Dairy Health and Wellness

 Advisory Roundtable on Sustainable Nutrition at the Arkansas Food Bank in Little Rock.

 The topic of sustainable nutrition involved presentations about what the dairy industry is 

doing in regards to sustainability and the role that food waste plays in our everyday activities.

I keep thinking about these facts...

Nearly 1 in 5  children in the U.S. face hunger.

In Arkansas, 1 in 4 children face hunger.

   About 40% of the U.S. food supply is never eaten and is thrown

 away at home,in grocery stores and restaurants.

I'm thankful for the health professionals that are working in  a variety of settings 

in our local communities to fight hunger and food waste

and 

                             the dairy farm families across America that work 365 days a year to
                                           provide nutritious dairy products that consumers want,
                              in a way that makes the industry,people and the earth economically,
                              environmentally and socially better--now and for future generations.
                                               

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

Everything was perfect at the Benton County Cleanup...

perfect October weather and happy volunteers.

We filled one 250 gallon container of used motor oil

 and started on the second.

I'm thankful for the Benton County employees who organized 

the clean-up event, the many volunteers that spent Saturday 

morning helping to keep our county clean and

 for the Benton County residents who utilize this service.

Everyday Dairy Farm Sustainability

The feed barn is one of my favorite places to be when

 the cows come to eat after being milked.

They really seemed to be enjoying every bite  this morning

 and weren't a bit interested in what I was doing!

At the request of our dairy nutritionist,I was actually on a mission 

to collect a sample of the feed they were enjoying. 

Sampling  the feed mix is done when we have added a

 new or different ingredient to make sure the total mixed ration is balanced.

Making sure the cows have a nutritious and balanced diet 

keeps them healthy and leads to high-quality milk.

Feed efficiency is extremely important to the sustainability of our farm.

Sustainability is not just a word, it's how our dairy farm family 

has lived for generations, working to improve and

 make life better for the next generation.  

Since 1944 when my mother-in-law was milking cows on our farm, 

dairy farmers across America are producing more milk

 using 90% less cropland, 

producing 76% less manure,

 using 65% less water, 

and producing 63% less carbon emissions.

All that has happened through innovation and efficiency improvements that

 have been provided through research,sound science and technology.

                                                     

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

No matter what size farm you may visit, according to the USDA, 

97 percent of U.S. dairy farms

 are family owned and operated, often by multiple generations of the family.

Our son Cody is the 4th generation to live and work on our family dairy  farm. 

It's hard to believe that today  he's the one driving the tractor and working

 on the farm instead of sitting on the lap of his grandfather

or being pulled in the wagon.

                                 
                                           I'm thankful for the news we received that we will be
                                            welcoming another generation to the farm in April!
                                                    Congratulations to Cody and Margaret!
                                                (WOW--I'm going to be a Dairy Grandma!)

On Call Dairy Farmer

What's not to love about a new fall  baby?

                                                             Like most of our calves,
                                          this baby was born in the pasture next to the house.

                                          During calving season we keep a close eye on the

                                                      cows to ensure a healthy delivery.

                                                    If a mom-to-be does need assistance, 

                                         we walk them to the maternity barn for assistance.

                                           It's the on call dairy farmer  that makes the difference

                                                   in the  outcome of  difficult deliveries.

                                       

                                         
   

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

The fog thickened as we were feeding calves this morning.

 As I looked at the cows resting in the pasture, it was beautiful in an odd way.

For me it was  a  moment of peace in a crazy week.

                                            I'm thankful for the peaceful God-given moments
                                                                down on the dairy farm.