E Is For Events

Do you live on a farm? Probably not. Only 2% of Americans do. 

Have you ever visited a farm? Most people haven't.

Many farms invite visitors during June Dairy Month. There are many farms that host tours, meals, and family fun activities. So here's your chance to see what happens on the farm to get the milk from the cow to you! 

If you live in the Midwest United States, or are visiting this area during June Dairy Month, CLICK HERE   to find a farm event near you. Not in the Midwest? I encourage you to search online for an event near you. 

The Barn Doors Are Open!

Don't forget to enter to win The Dairy Good Cookbook ($25 value).
CLICK HERE FOR MY BARNYARD VIEW'S COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY.

MidwestDairy.com

It's Better With Butter

Anyone for a game of Jenga? 

Alright, I'm kidding. We use butter for almost everything, but Jenga is carrying it a bit too far, even for us dairy farmers! 

Butter is made from two ingredients- cream and salt. It's just that simple (no ingredients that can't be pronounced). First, the cream is separated from fresh whole milk. The cream is then churned by shaking it vigorously until it thickens. The remaining liquid (buttermilk) is removed. The butter is washed and formed into its solid shape.

Ta-da! Butter is made.

Butter can be stored in a refrigerator for up to 2 months, and in the freezer for up to 9 months. It can be stored longer, but the flavor might be sacrificed a bit. Besides, if your family is like mine, butter doesn't stay around very long anyway. It's always on our grocery list!

Melting on your toast... a sliver on your steamed vegetables...drizzled on your popcorn... you get the picture.

 

And then there's flavored butter...OMG!

 

 

 

Cranberry Orange Butter

Recipe by: Midwest Dairy Association

Brighten up breakfast by serving this flavorful spread at home or giving as a gift to your foodie friends.

Ingredients

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter softened
• 6 tablespoons whole berry cranberry sauce (we used Ocean Spray for testing)
• 4 teaspoons orange marmalade
• 2 teaspoons confectioners’ sugar
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Directions

Combine ingredients in a small food processor; process until well blended. Spoon into an airtight container; store in refrigerator.

Recipe Variations: Cranberry Orange Butter is a sweet and flavorful spread for breakfast or tea. Give as a gift in an airtight decorative container with lid along with bagels or freshly baked bread.

100 Reasons To Love Dairy

I'm taking you on a journey from A to Z throughout June Dairy Month.

So come on in...the barn doors are open!

  T Is For Together

2015 marks National Dairy Council's 100th year! 

In honor of this anniversary, I am joining together with fellow dairy farmers, dietitians, and Midwest Dairy Association to bring you 100+ reasons why we love dairy. 

Here are my top 10 reasons I am in love with any, and all things dairy.

I LOVE DAIRY BECAUSE...

• it allows me to continue my family tradition as a proud sixth generation dairy farmer.
• my husband, Farmer John never complains about going to work.
• we can raise our children on our dairy farm, and never hear, "I'm bored!"
• we spend many hours working side-by-side with family, and there's nothing better than spending time with family.
• it reinforces that hard work truly does pay off.
• living and working on our dairy farm teaches us to care for and appreciate God's creation.
• it gives me the opportunity to answer questions and meet new people as I share our dairy farming story.
• I help feed the world safe, nutritious dairy foods.
• my family and I are "leaving this world a little better than when we found it" through our sustainability efforts on our dairy farm.
• I'm the first step to making milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream! Yumm...dairy deliciousness!

The reasons to love dairy don’t end here. Check out more from Midwest Dairy Association, sharing 100 reasons to love dairy 

What are your reasons to love dairy? 

You may also want to read my previous years posts for June Dairy Month...

T Is For Trivia 

and

T Is For Tour 

 

For 100 years, National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC comprises a staff of registered dietitians and nutrition research and communications experts across the country. - See more at: http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/AboutNDC/Pages/AboutNDCLanding.aspx#sthash.AA7AXij9.dpuf

For 100 years, National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC comprises a staff of registered dietitians and nutrition research and communications experts across the country. - See more at: http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/AboutNDC/Pages/AboutNDCLanding.aspx#sthash.AA7AXij9.dpuf

For 100 years, National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. NDC provides science-based nutrition information to, and in collaboration with, a variety of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthier nation, including health professionals, educators, school nutrition directors, academia, industry, consumers and media. Established in 1915, NDC comprises a staff of registered dietitians and nutrition research and communications experts across the country. - See more at: http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/AboutNDC/Pages/AboutNDCLanding.aspx#sthash.AA7AXij9.dpuf

G Is For Giveaway

I'm taking you on a journey from A to Z throughout June Dairy Month.

So come on in...the barn doors are open!

  G Is For Giveaway!

We are having a celebration! 2015 is the 100th anniversary of the National Dairy Council. The National Dairy Council (NDC) is a non-profit organization, funded by farmers, which is committed to nutritional education and research based communications.

For 100 years, National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. - See more at: http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/AboutNDC/Pages/AboutNDCLanding.aspx#sthash.yOzJbWvm.dpuf

For 100 years, National Dairy Council (NDC), the non-profit organization funded by the national dairy checkoff program, is committed to nutrition education and research-based communications. - See more at: http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/AboutNDC/Pages/AboutNDCLanding.aspx#sthash.yOzJbWvm.dpuf

The Dairy Good Cookbook was produced in recognition of the 100 year anniversary of the National Dairy Council.

Get a glimpse of life on a dairy farm and celebrate classic comfort foods – as well as find new favorites – with The Dairy Good Cookbook.

 

  It’s more than a cookbook. It’s a way for each of us to learn where our food comes from and the dairy farm families around the nation that make milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, and all our other favorite dairy foods possible.

 The Dairy Good Cookbook is available at most bookstores and Amazon, or...
you can enter for a chance to win your very own copy right here! Thanks to Midwest Dairy Association you could be the lucky winner of this beautiful cookbook ($25.00 value.) Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You may also want to read my previous years posts for June Dairy Month...
G Is For Games 
and
G Is For Growing 

 

Sharin' The McLove

I just returned from a social media workshop in Chicago, hosted by  Midwest Dairy Association. This is the fourth year I have been invited and each year I come away with new ideas, new insights, and new friends which all help to invigorate me to continue to share my story as a dairy farmer.

One of our speakers was from McDonald's. (Yep, the golden arches people). McDonald's restaurants have a partnership with the National Dairy Council to develop dairy offerings on their menu. You probably already know about many of the dairy choices-  the fruit 'n yogurt parfaits, the low fat white milk, the fat-free chocolate milk, and my favorite the Shamrock shake! 

 

Did you know McDonald's now offers Go-Gurt (yogurt) with its Happy Meals? McDonald's worked with General Mills Corporation to make Go-Gurt with 25% less sugar than the Go-Gurt you find in your grocery store. And I was excited to hear that of the side items kiddos could choose from to complete their Happy Meals, Go-Gurt was chosen more than 50% of the time. Go dairy!

I am proud of the partnership McDonald's has with dairy farmers, and happy to see that they acknowledge the importance of dairy foods, even when dining out. I'm also thrilled to see that they understand our passion and commitment we have each day to provide milk for those healthy dairy offerings.

Two Straws, One Glass

Do you remember, as a child, how exciting Valentine's Day was? It was one of my favorite school days. It was so fun to make our Valentine's box at home to bring to school so our classmates could stuff it full of Valentine's. Most of my Valentine mailboxes were made from shoe boxes or tissue boxes covered with paper, and if I was really lucky my mom would let me use wrapping paper as the covering! Most classmates made red or pink construction paper hearts and our "best" friends got the special hearts with the lacey paper doily attached. Of course as I got a bit older it was the "secret crush" that got that special decorated heart!

Working as an Elementary School educator, I still get to experience Valentine's Day from a child's perspective. The mailboxes may not be shoe boxes or tissue boxes and the Valentine's are probably bought and not home-made, but one thing stayed the same...the excitement! It's nice to know some things don't change.

Wishing you and your sweetheart a wonderful Valentine's Day.

Enjoy this smoothie recipe with someone you love.

Add some romance...two straws, one glass? 

Who's Number 60?

Christine Reitsma, 59th Princess Kay of the Milky Way 2012-2013

This year the Princess Kay of the Milky Way title marks its 60th anniversary. Dozens of dairy princesses from across Minnesota are gathered at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota, May 17-19 to participate in workshops and judging.  At the weekend’s conclusion, the Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalists will be announced. 

Dairy princesses are young women who are from dairy farm families or are involved in the dairy industry through their employment or that of their parents.  They make appearances in classrooms, at parades and community events, and county fairs.  Princess Kay finalists have their likeness carved in butter during the Minnesota State Fair and make public appearances during the Fair’s 12-day run.

Princess Kay candidates are judged on a written application, a short speech, a professional interview and a simulated media interview. The 12 finalists are named May 19.  Live updates of the finalist announcements will be posted to Princess Kay’s Facebook page during the luncheon. On Twitter, updates can be obtained by following the hashtag #MNPrincessKay.

Princess Kay is then crowned the night before the Minnesota State Fair opens and serves as the dairy industry’s goodwill ambassador for a year, helping people understand the dedication of dairy farmers to wholesome and nutritious food, and the way milk is produced. Dairy farmers sponsor the dairy princess program through Midwest Dairy Association.

We at Bremer Farms are proud to support this program and anxiously look forward to the announcement of the finalists, and the crowning of our 60th Princess Kay of the Milky Way. 

Flat Aggie From California

Perhaps you have heard the story of Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown. Stanley is a young man who wakes up one morning to discover he has been flattened while he was sleeping. Yes flat...as a pancake (only thinner, like paper.) Imagine the adventures you could have if you were small enough to stow away in an envelope to see the world. Stanley did just that! Now think about what a great way this would be to learn about agriculture around the United States. Sarah's blog, House Ag Built along with her first grade students, constructed Flat Aggie (Agriculture, cute, huh?) to visit farms to learn every thing they can through the eyes of Aggie. I invited Flat Aggie to visit our dairy farm in Minnesota. Here is the first of our adventures that I am sharing with Sarah and her first graders.

Flat Aggie went to the Midwest Dairy Expo with John and I. This is one place farmers can go to learn more about being a great farmer and about the newest farm machinery and supplies. Flat Aggie really liked this big plastic cow at the Dairy Farmers of America booth. Aggie learned that the milk from our farm is sold to Kemps, which makes it into yummy ice cream. 

After a tasty ice cream snack, we visited the Midwest Dairy booth. Barb, Jodi, and Sami explained to Flat Aggie that dairy farmers get paid to sell their cows milk and a little money each month goes to Midwest Dairy to advertise how important it is to have dairy foods every day to keep our teeth and bones strong and healthy. Midwest Dairy also teaches people how dairy farmers, like us, care for our animals and our land.

After a busy day, Flat Aggie was getting pretty worn out. His tired little feet couldn't hardly walk another step, but wow, you should have seen him perk up when he saw the sparkly crown on Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Christine Reitsma. She spends many days traveling around Minnesota, representing Minnesota Dairy farmers, to help share our story about how much we love what we do to make delicious milk for everyone to enjoy! (I think Flat Aggie would have liked a little kiss from Princess Kay, but he was too shy to ask.)

Flat Aggie was so sleepy from our long day, he slept all the way home. But he is so excited to help with calf feeding and cow milking tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Proud Dairy Farmer in St. Louis- part 2

These are the questions attendees of Show Me the Blog asked following my presentation. 

(See Proud Dairy Farmer in St. Louis- part 1)  

  

What about drinking raw milk? The dairy industry recommends that no one consume unpasteurized milk. Selling raw milk is illegal in Minnesota. (Pasteurization is a simple, effective method to kill potentially harmful bacteria. It does not affect the nutritional value of milk.)

Do you milk the cows 7 days a week? Yes, two times each day.
So if you're here, who's milking the cows? My kids and husband.  Usually my husband and son milk in the morning, and my husband and I milk at night. When one of us needs to be gone, someone else steps in.

Because of the demands of farming, have you ever gotten a family vacation? Yes. Since we farm with my in-laws, we are able to take 3-4 days off each year. As they get older, we seek out others to help.

(L-R) Becky, Alex, Sami, Jan

Lastly, a conference-goer thanked me for telling my farming story. She stated that so often farmers get a "bad rap" and she expressed a big thank you for what we do! A thank you to her for her kind words! Also I'd like to thank Show Me the Blog for allowing me to share my story.

Besides my presentation, Minnesotan Becky Bode, from Bode Dairy spoke about what happens on her farm to care for their cows and the environment. I encourage you to check out her blog to see what happens on her dairy farm.

Samantha Carter, of Midwest Dairy also joined our presentation. Besides introducing Becky and I, she explained that Midwest Dairy represents the 9,500 dairy farm families in the 10 Midwestern states and works on behalf of dairy farmers to increase dairy sales, foster innovation and inspire consumer confidence in dairy products and practices.

Finally Alex Economy, a Registered Dietician, representing  Hy-Vee Food Stores demonstrated how to make Mozzarella Pepper Salsa. Served on an endive leaf, or a cracker, it was a huge hit!

Meet Me In St. Louis, Louis...

One week from today I will be attending the Show Me The Blog Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Show Me the Blog is the brainchild of Danyelle Little. The conference was created for social media
enthusiasts in St. Louis to network, share information, and exchange resources. Show Me the Blog
promises to be a unique experience for those interested in new media, social media, blogging, and
technology. Last years event brought bloggers from several states and due to last years success, the conference has been increased to two days.


I will be attending, on behalf of Midwest Dairy, to share my blogging story during a presentation called "From Farm to Table."  Becky Bode, from Bode Dairy, and I will be sharing about our blogs and our passion for promoting dairy and farming. Stephanie Cundith, Midwest Dairy registered dietitian, will also be participating in the presentation by preparing Mozzarella Pepper Salsa and speaking about the nutritional benefits of dairy foods. Of course there will be Salsa samples and time for questions and answers.

As you follow my blog, I'm sure you have found out that I love to teach and I love to spread the word about the dairy industry that we are so proud to be a part of. Midwest Dairy is giving me a great opportunity to continue doing this by attending this conference. I look forward to sharing my news, moos and reviews with the conference goers. You can follow me on Twitter @MyBarnyardView #SMBSTL to see what goes on.

Hannah Holstein, pack your bags. We're heading to St. Louis!

Score BIG!

Two years ago our basement was transformed into a more "livable" space. Oh, it was lively before that, playing host to many kid-friendly parties, but as our kids grow older, their toys grow more expensive. The basement transformation began when Sara purchased a ceiling mounted projector and 8 foot screen. Next came Michael's surround sound system, and before we knew what hit us, we were hiring a contractor to insulate and sheetrock. Carpet was laid. Thanks to my brother Gary, the ceiling was hung, and our media center was born! 


Our family started a new tradition of inviting family over for a Sunday afternoon Vikings football game, in our new "theater." We eat, cheer, and eat some more.  Two years ago the menu was barbeque and picnic food. Last year it was a baked potato bar with all the trimmings. What will it be this year? Veggies and dip always  "score" big with our family. Midwest Dairy Association can answer the question of "What kind of dip shall we make?" Any suggestions for the rest of the menu? Leave a comment. I'm open to suggestions. Touchdown!