I won!

Community service is nothing new to my family. For decades, my Grandpa and Dad served their hometowns as elected officials. My Dad served the Township, then Village, then City of Cottage Grove, Minnesota for over 30 years. As the population grew, the name changed, and the responsibilities increased. Grandpa Dankers was also very involved. He and Dad were always on various committees, boards, and commissions. Mom was too! We used to joke as kids growing up that it was nearly unheard of that Dad had a night without meetings! 

Perhaps we can blame it on heredity then that my brother, sister, and I are also serving. My brother will soon begin his first term on his local school board, and my sister is currently serving on committees and commissions in her hometown. This week, for the first time, I saw my name appear on our Township ballot. On Tuesday, I became the newly elected Treasurer of Nininger Township!

I have actually been the Treasurer for the past year, filling a vacancy, but now I can say I am an Elected Official! There is something exciting about seeing your name on a ballot. I can't explain the feeling other than I feel proud! And I'm sure my Mom and my Dad are proud of me too!

 As dairy farmers, some people think of our farms as an "island" in the middle of nowhere. That is certainly not true. Bremer Farms is 20 minutes from downtown St. Paul and Minneapolis. We even have a golf course directly across the street from our front door. What we do, and what our neighbors do, affects all of us. 

Dairy farmers are local small-business owners, parents, school supporters, and active members in community organizations, and government. We care about the health and well-being of our communities. We also create jobs that help to sustain the local economy. We purchase machinery, trucks, fuel, and more, which creates jobs and produces revenue locally. So why wouldn't I get involved in local government?

Thanks for the congratulations bouquet (and the pie), Ana!