Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Don't you just love the month of May?

Spring showers bring the beautiful flowers, budding trees,

green grass and the all too prevalent allergies.

Although my Mother  transplanted the iris from the garden 

last spring to the bottom of the mailbox, we were not

really sure what color iris would bloom.

To our surprise, the blooms are in the shades of purple.

I'm thankful for the daily reminders of how God is in control.

Today's scripture on my kitchen calendar emphasized my thoughts:

"Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you,

even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like on of these. 

If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow

is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, 

O you of little faith?"

                   --Luke 12:27-28

                                                 From down on the dairy farm, Happy May!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Even though you don't see any black spots on this new calf, it is a Holstein.

There's nothing prettier than a pure  white calf  on bright spring green grass.

Each calf is unique and has characteristics of its parents.

In fact, every calf's spots or markings are unique to them.

What I love about all of the dairy cows, no matter what kind or color,

they provide us with delicious, nutritious  milk.

I'm thankful for the new spring calf crop

and the milk that is produced for all of us to enjoy.

What kind of world would it be without 

butter and cream cheese to use when baking Easter

 goodies like Coconut Cake with Pineapple Filling?

                               
                                                     

Earth Day is Everyday

Everyday is Earth Day down on the dairy farm. 

We celebrate Earth Day by how we provide everyday care

 for the land by utilizing science and best management

 practices that make economic sense, help the environment

  and are socially responsible to our community.

Everything we do makes a difference  such as:

protecting air quality by following proper manure storage practices,

recycling manure to fertilize crop and pasture land,

growing crops with recycled manure that builds the

organic materials in the soil and improves water retention,

and

reducing the carbon footprint of milk by 63 percent due to 

improvements in animal feeding,animal health programs

and overall farm management practices.

                                             
                                                           When you get right down to it,
                                                      we celebrate Earth Day Everyday,
                                                            for the next generation.
                                                             

Happy Earth Day Everyday!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

We experience new life on the dairy  farm year round, 

but there's nothing like seeing new calves born in the spring

on a carpet of new green grass and the beauty around us. 

Our expectant mothers have been watched closely 

   to insure a healthy delivery.

 It's always exciting to meet our new baby!

Our days are filled with routine chores and common every

day challenges but I'm thankful for the blessings of new life,

for the smiles and laughter of children

and

                                                           the Hope of the Easter season.

                                                             From down on the dairy farm,
                                                               Happy Easter!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Tractors are used every day down on the dairy farm for a variety of jobs.

Although we have more than one tractor, the little Ford tractor 

serves to bring the dairy  cows to the milking barn twice each day.

No doubt it's  a priority to repair the wheel. 

Unfortunately, we don't plan on these common events

but it does teach us about being flexible and making the most 

of every day--good or bad.

I'll admit, I'm still a student on handling being flexible.

When we are most discouraged or hit with an unexpected event,

I'm thankful for the signs  and  gifts God

freely provides to us on a daily,moment by moment schedule.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Farmer

Ever heard of Action Jackson?

Well, this is the Arkansas Farm Bureau version of  Action Jackson,

that is, Matt Jackson, Agriculture Educator!

Kindergarten students at Pea Ridge Primary School

listened intently to all that Mr. Matt shared with them about

 the dairy cow and how to milk her. 

     My job was easy--I was the local dairy farmer

who brought Cow hats,coloring books and crayons provided by

Midwest Dairy!

Hugs and smiles from a child definitely give you star power.

                                       
                                            I'm thankful for the portion of our Farm Bureau
                                            membership dollars that are spent for educating
                                             children and  adults  and for the opportunities
                                                            to share our agriculture story.
           
                                         

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

It was the perfect spring morning to walk across the pasture to 

find this baby snuggled down in the loose hay around the manger.

As usual, Mama stayed between me and the calf just in case 

I should act wild and crazy or the farm  dogs following me got too close!

                                                         
                                           I am thankful for new life down on the dairy farm
                                                                              and
                                                           

                                                                 for the gifts of spring!