THE REAL DEAL

The Real Seal is a logo you find on products that contain real dairy ingredients. Dairy farmers and dairy farm families are also the real deal behind the seal. As a dairy farmer I want to give you some real truthful information. Caring for our animals is real important to our farms sustainability. Proper and humane treatment of our cows is a real committment. As a cooperative member of Dairy Farmers of America, we have attained the Gold Standard Dairy Program Certificate. This is an on farm audit that assesses,analyzes and provides feedback regarding on farm practices, encourages continuous improvement and recognizes achievements. Dairy farmers are the real deal---real people, real values,real love of animals,real contributers to society, real lovers of the land,real American values and real belief in God. We are the Real deal with the Real Seal with a Real story--REALLY! Just ask a dairy farmer for a real answer to questions about what we do on the farm.

Childhood Obesity

According to the federal Center for Disease Control, thiry two percent of American children and teenagers are classified as overweight or obese. Obesity puts children and adults at high risk for developing serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure,heart disease or stroke. Over a period of years there are a collection of factors contributing to our national obesity problem. Think about all of the conveniences of our everyday life. How far do you walk everyday? How many times do you walk to the TV to change the channel? How many hours do you spend on the computer? How often do you eat meals at home? Good nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand for good health. As a dairyfarm mom, registered nurse and a consumer, I am very excited about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. This program is a partnership between dairy farmers, the NFL and the USDA. Dairy farmers have committed $250 million over the next five years for this program. Dairy farmers contribute money from the product that we produce through the National Dairy Check-off Program. Dairy Check-0ff dollars are spent on research and promotion of dairy products and this is a great win for the consumer and the dairy farmer. As I go to take care of my calves tomorrow morning, I am going to hope that you are hugging your children and setting a good example for them by teaching them and showing them about a healthy lifestyle which includes good nutrition and 60 minutes of exercise every day!!

Farmer's Holiday

A farmer's holiday would be a day without any problems!! We do not typically get a holiday off because there are always chores to be done and animals to be cared for. We do get to enjoy being together as we work and that is not all bad. We can enjoy the beauty that God provides in our natural surrounding. On Christmas day as we were enjoying our lunch together with family, I thought about all the people like us that are working on the holidays for service to others. Our milk hauler picked up our milk to take for processing at the plant in Fayetteville. Milk reaches your supermarket shelf only 2 days after leaving the farm. Thanks to the milk hauler! Policemen,firemen,doctors, nurses,and our military men and women come to mind in other professions that work to serve others. Although we face many issues in agriculture and our society--we have much to be thankful for and need to celebrate the great country we live in and the blessings we enjoy. Make a resolution for 2010 to be thankful and think of ways to serve others.

Home for the Holidays

The boys (my two college sons) are home for the holidays. Loads of laundry and more meals to prepare but it is so nice to have the nest full again even though for a short holiday time. As we are anticipating special time with our families during this holiday season, I can't help but be reminded that we are so fortunate to live on a family farm. In spite of the misperceptions about agriculture in the United States, 98 percent of all farms are family farms. Family farms can be all sizes of operations but they are still run by families. We have 7 full time employees to help us take care of our animals and get all the chores done on a daily basis. We will be working extra hard during the holiday season to make sure that our animals are cared for and that we will all get to share in the great celebration of Christmas. If you are needing some great recipes for the holidays-check out dairymakessense.com and have a Dairy Christmas!

What in the world did the pioneer women wear to keep warm? That was my thought as I bundled up to face 20 degrees and 30 mile and hour wind yesterday morning. One of my jobs on the farm is to take care of the baby calves every day. Right now we have 80 calves that are fed milk and grain twice daily. Each calf has a nice warm calf hutch to live in for the first few weeks. Care of the calves involves monitoring for any changes in physical condition and symptoms of illness. My mother told me when I chose to stay home with my children that no education is ever wasted. After 25years, I will admit that she's right. I have used my nursing degree every day to take care of children or calves! We need to thank those people that invented thermal underwear and insulated boots and coveralls!! Farmers are committed to taking good care of their animals.

I have been experiencing the life of a dairy farmer for 25 years. I was a rural city girl(that means I grew up in a small town). I married a third generation dairy farmer and what a great experience and privilege it is to be a part of food production for American consumers and the world. I plan to share information about our family dairy farm. The name of our farm is Triple A and we milk Holstein cows(the black and white spotted cows). The ultimate goal of any dairy farmer is to produce delicious, healthy and safe milk or milk products. Milk is very nutritious and economical for the family budget. You can learn more tips about milk on the website dairymakessense.com. Holidays bring the need for great food and that website has several great recipes with the stamp of approval from dairy moms like me!