It's a Three-Pete

This week I was invited to do a third submission for

Food, Nutrition & Science is a newsletter prepared by Phil Lempert, Supermarket Guru, and his team. Each newsletter shares the latest news in food science, agriculture, health and wellness and sustainability efforts.

In the past I had been asked to make a video of our farm for readers to get a virtual tour of a dairy farm.

You can read about it here and also watch it here.

Another time I was asked to answer questions for a 

Q and A about being a dairy farmer. 

You can read my answers here.

This month I was invited to choose my own topic for a feature called "From the Farmer's Tractor." I chose Sustainability, and what we at Bremer Farms do to take what we need to live now, without jeopardizing the potential for people in the future to meet their needs. You can read my guest column From The Farmer's Tractor here.

So it's a three-pete! Three times I have been invited by the Lempert Report to share what Bremer Farms is all about, and I will gladly accept a fourth, fifth, even one hundred invitations. I want everyone to know what we do "down on the farm" and the passion we have for the life we have chosen!

 

While you're visiting Food, Nutrition & Science read about my friend and fellow DairyMom Karen Bohnert.

We Need Your Help

We, and farmers like us, need your help. 

 

A new coalition called A Greater Minnesota (AGM) has been created to inform Minnesotans about the issues surrounding farming and food production and the economic impacts to the state.

What's AGM's purpose?

  Policies and regulations that support agriculture are paramount to protecting and growing Minnesota’s status as a major player in the farm and food production industry. To help ensure its sustainability, a new coalition called A Greater Minnesota (AGM) has been created to inform Minnesotans about the issues surrounding farming and food production and the economic impacts to the state.  This new coalition is launching a campaign to raise awareness – specifically among legislative candidates who can adopt and maintain policies that support a thriving food and agricultural sector. A key component of the campaign is to inform the public about key issues and ask Minnesota voters to encourage legislative candidates to take the 5-Point MN Farm and Food Pledge. The pledge encourages support for all good MN farms (big or small, traditional or organic), environmental stewardship, caring for farm animals, sensible food labeling and food safety. The Minnesota Agri-Growth Council, the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, the Chicken And Egg Association of Minnesota, the Minnesota Milk Producers Association and various other Minnesota farm and food entities support the AGM coalition. 

 But I'm not a farmer. Why should I care? 

  Minnesota farmers and food producers play an essential role in the state’s economy and are largely responsible for the quality food consumed on a daily basis. The market value of food and farm products sold in Minnesota each year is about $21.3 billion, according to the 2012 U.S. Census of Agriculture. Additionally, jobs provided by the food and farm industry employ hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans.

 

“If you live in Minnesota, the agriculture industry benefits you. It puts good food on your table, supports hundreds of thousands of good jobs in both greater Minnesota and the metro, and is a huge contributor to our state economy,” said Perry Aasness, executive director of Minnesota Agri-Growth Council.  “We need legislators to put good farms, food and jobs first, and we need Minnesota residents to help us hold them accountable to keep our extensive and diverse food and agriculture sector strong.”

So it does affect me. What can I do about it?

AGM encourages Minnesota residents to visit Farm and Food MN to learn more about agriculture and how they have a vested interest in its vitality. The website is also home to a platform that helps people easily discover candidates for office in their district and offers them a simple on-line tool to urge candidates to support the critical farms and food agenda.

Despite its importance, farming advocates are on the decline. The disconnect between farmers/food producers and everyday folks continues to grow. A recent poll found that only 42 percent of people in Minnesota personally know someone who operates or works on a farm. Those numbers are even lower in urban areas and among the young.

Concerns regarding the safety and methods of how our food is produced have increased dramatically in recent years, but the care, safety and protected environment of our farm animals has never been better. Crops, today, are producing higher yields, nourishing more people, all while using less water, fuel and other chemicals. 

 Please visit Farm and Food MN to learn more about agriculture in Minnesota. I also ask that you consider contacting your local candidates to express your concern for agriculture in Minnesota. It's as easy as a click of a button at Farm and Food MN.

But I'm not from Minnesota...

I still encourage you to check out Farm and Food MN. You will learn a lot about agriculture, view videos, and witness the passion we farmers have for our important industry that affects us all.

A New Dining Table

We have a new dining table!

 I love to shop, but this new table didn't allow me to 

head to my favorite furniture store to choose one. 

No, this table is for our milking herd.

It is time for "out with the old,"

and "in with the new!"

You may have noticed that the "old way" has an auger system running down the center of the dining table, and there is nothing but feed as the new table's centerpiece. I'll start from the beginning, so you can see how our new dining table came to be and how it works.

Every table needs a strong, level set of legs, so the first step was to pour a new concrete base, or table top.

Next the new belt-style feeding system is installed. With our "old way" the auger was at our cow's eye level, and the "new way" has the belt mounted overhead. See the shiny silver and red? That's where it is.

Then, just like before, the chute is installed at the other end. 

This is where the TMR (total mixed ration) wagon pulls up 

to unload the feed into the new bulk feeder. 

So what's in the TMR wagon?

You can learn about the feed at 120 Hungry Mouths To Feed.

 And there you have it. Our new dining table is complete and ready for it's first dinner guests. Ladies...come and get it!

We keep our cows well fed and healthy so they can continue to make milk for you, and me!

Good-Bye Old Friend

Earlier this week the Minnesota State Fair closed its gates for another year, but my family hopped on the bus several times during its 12 day run to experience the fun and excitement. Come along as I share a few of our adventures.

 

Some days at the Fair begin with a little work, and I use the term "work" very loosely. For several years I have been asked to judge 4-H demonstrations. I love evaluating the 4-Her's presentations, and each year I am amazed at what I learn about their projects!
 After lunch and some chocolate milk refueling, it was off to watch the parade.

  We waved hello to this years Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Jeni Haler.

And yes, dairy farmers occasionally drink something other than milk. We made soda cans with our names on. No fighting over whose can is whose.

Then it was time to play detective. Since my dad passed away one year ago, and he was a huge Fair fan and supporter, our family felt it was appropriate to donate something to the Minnesota State Fair. Ta-da! The Glen Brown memorial bench!

What's a Fair without food? Time to support the hog farmers with some unbelievable maple flavored "bacon on a stick."

Son Michael and I rubbed elbows (almost) with celebrity Garrison Keillor of Praire Home Companion.

When Farmer John and I go to the Fair, part of our time is spent talking dairy. Each year we volunteer in the Moo Booth. With most people two to three generations removed from farming, this is our chance to answer questions that may have been answered by their farming relatives in the past. 

Farmer John and I were also presented with a special Champion for Dairy ribbon in acknowledgment of our 15+ years of volunteering to answer questions and share our love for the farming life we love.

Before heading home to milk our cows, we always check out the...

Our neighbor, and Princess Kay finalist, Gabriella Sorg was having her likeness carved in butter. You can learn about the Butterhead process here.

My family and I are always sad to see the Fair come to a close. Thank goodness we take lots of pictures to help us relive the memories. Until next year...good-bye old friend!