A Reason to Scream With the Minnesota Vikings

What do 700 students and the fans at U.S. Bank Stadium have in common? ...noise and enthusiasm!

Yesterday the noise and enthusiasm of the students of Kaposia Education Center would have rivaled that of the fans at the recent Minnesota Vikings - Green Bay Packers game. 

Because of their schools efforts in the Fuel Up To Play 60 program, they received a Hometown Grant and a visit from some special guests of the Minnesota Vikings.

These kids had good reason to cheer. The $10,000 grant will be used to accomplish the students goal of improved health and wellness through several activities and purchases. A farm tour, nutritional information, a smoothie maker, fitness equipment, and even Ninja Warrior stations, are just some of the ways this grant money will be used to assist students in eating well and staying active. 

I was invited to be the guest dairy farmer which gave me the opportunity to speak at the program as well as give a presentation about my farm and life as a dairy farmer to the first grade classes. I got to field some great questions too!

Viktor the Viking, Vikings players and staff, and Vikings cheerleaders, came to help in the celebration. The players were interviewed by students from the FUTP60 leaders,

there was a field goal kicking contest, and the FUTP60  leaders also went through some skill drills lead by the Vikings Youth Football Development Manager.

I am so proud of these students and staff for their dedication to a healthy lifestyle through the Fuel Up To Play 60 program and I was thrilled to be a part of their special day. Keep up the great work Kaposia!

You know me, I'm quite a Vikings fan. I couldn't leave without a photo... 

L-R Stephen Weatherly (#91- defensive end), me, Chad Beebe (#12- wide receiver), Vikings Legend Greg Coleman, and Jeff Robinson (youth football development manager). 

and autographs!

Win, Or Freeze Trying

Tomorrow Minnesota will be setting a record. According to the weather forecast, when the Minnesota Vikings meet the Seattle Seahawks, the temperature will be -2 degrees with a wind chill making it feel like -15 degrees. This is the coldest temperature EVER for an outdoor NFL game. Quite a way to get in the record books, right? 

 Fans attending the game are going to be treated to free coffee and hand warmers, and the players are reported to be getting chicken noodle soup on the sidelines. How's that for Minnesota-nice?

Frigid cold temps aside, we are so proud of our Minnesota Vikings earning the title of NFC North Division Champs! I am hoping this winning streak continues, especially since I informed my family that our Vikings-themed Christmas tree was not coming down until our Vikes win the Super Bowl. Gulp! 

My Christmas wish - My Barnyard View

While the Vikings will be playing hard to stay warm (and win) my family and I will be planted in front of our big screen, snuggled under blankets, cheering like the crazed fans we are, and chowing down on one of daughter Sara's yummy creations-

Third Down Dip

Ingredients for the Football Bread

3 tubes refrigerated/tube biscuit French loaf

1 egg mixed with a splash of water

Ingredients for the Dip

1 tablespoon butter

2 cups corn (fresh, thawed frozen or drained canned)

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced

1 jalapeno, finely diced

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

salt, pepper and cayenne to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Unroll one tube of bread dough onto a non-stick tin foil lined or parchment paper lined baking sheet.

3. Set another roll of bread, on top of the unrolled dough, forming one side of a football.

4.Set the other roll of dough opposite the first. Press the seems together.

5.Brush egg wash over the football shaped bread bowl.

6.Trim around the edge of the football removing the extra dough.

7.Use that extra dough to make the stripes and the laces for the football.

8.Bake for 28-30 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

While bread is baking

9. Melt the butter in a pan over medium-high heat, add the corn, saute until the corn starts to turn golden brown, about 5 minutes, and set aside.

10.Melt the butter in the pan over medium-high heat add pepper and saute until soft, about 3-5 minutes.

11. Add the jalapeño and saute until fragrant, about a minute.

12. Mix the corn, peppers, mayonnaise, cheeses and cayenne together in the sauce pan until the cheese has melted and all the ingredients are combined.

13. Pour the mixture into a Football Bread ring and top with lace crust.

14. Serve with Football bread and/or chips. 

This dip recipe was featured on Sara's show, Aprons Optional. You can see the entire episode Tailgating Treats here.

Made with dairy goodness, of course!

V Should Be For Victory

V is for "Victory."

V is also for "Vikings Victory."

But this week we will have to settle for V is just for "Vikings."

If you have been following my blog for very long you will already know that I am a HUGE Minnesota Vikings Football fan. So is Farmer John, and so is our son Michael. Daughter Sara...not so much.

Each year for Michael's birthday we cheer on our beloved Vikes at a game that Michael chooses. This year it was verses the Detroit Lions. 

Here's how our day went...

Get up earlier than usual to do chores and milk cows. 

Grab a muffin and some yogurt and head off to the light rail station.

Ride the light rail to the game. 

(This avoids traffic and parking headaches at the stadium).

Me and birthday boy Mike

Farmer John and Sara

Once at the stadium...

Find bathroom, food, and seats...in that order.

Since the Minnesota Vikings are currently building a new stadium, 

this (and next) seasons games are being held at 

the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium.

It is a beautiful stadium on a 60 degree, slightly breezy October day. A December football game...hmmm...maybe not so much.

Win or lose, we always stay until the end.

Other than my creepy "hat-hair" I love this picture.

So our Vikings couldn't pull out a victory (congrats to Detroit) but you can bet we'll be heading back to celebrate Michael's birthday with the Vikes again next year. Until then...

Heading home to do chores.

The players were leaving the stadium at the same time we were and I snapped this picture of 6 foot 8 inch, 343 pound, tackle, Phil Loadholt. After the game, I guess it's back to reality for all of us, dad's and farmers.

For more of our Minnesota Vikings encounters...

You can read about, and view a video of the day we met the Vikings, here-

F Is For Fuel Up To Play 60

and learn about the Vikings player that came to our farm, here-

 It's Toby Day!

F Is For Fuel Up To Play 60

It's June Dairy Month! The barn doors are open, 

so join me on my daily A to Z journey 

to learn more about dairy. 

  F is for Fuel Up To Play 60

 

Fuel Up To Play 60 is a program funded by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League in collaboration with USDA, that empowers students to take charge in making small, everyday changes at school. Students are encouraged to change the way they look at food and nutrition, and change their attitudes about physical education. 11 million students are involved in this program. We dairy farmers contribute to the success of this program.

Each year the Minnesota Vikings help build a playground for a needy community. I was asked by Midwest Dairy to give a short speech at the Playground Build to explain dairy farmers commitment to the Fuel Up To Play 60 program. 

We at Bremer Farms are proud to be a part of this program that promotes healthy foods and healthy activity. Dairy foods are a perfect fit in the Fuel Up To Play 60 program!

As an added bonus on the day of the Playground Build, my family and I got to hang out with the Minnesota Vikings! Take a peek...

It's Toby Day!

Today Bremer Farms received our prize for winning the Show Your Pride photo contest hosted by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League. Minnesota Viking Toby Gerhart visited our farm. What a great prize!

Our visit began with a meet and greet in our garage. We got to ask Toby questions about life on and off the football field. Did you know he graduated from Stanford with a degree in engineering? Got married in June, 2013? His parents are both teachers? And he has 5 siblings, including triplet sisters, a brother in high school and a brother that plays for the Green Bay Packers? After we learned a bit more about him, it was time for Toby to learn 

about our life on the farm.

Our first stop was getting a look at the 128 cows we milk each day. We informed Toby that our cows are milked twice a day, and we shared  the purpose for each of the buildings on our farm. Toby asked how much a typical cow weighed, and how much milk each cow gives. We also discussed that Sara, Michael and I each have jobs away from the farm, and that our farm is completely run by our family and John's parents...a true family farm! We asked Toby if he would like to be a Bremer Farms employee for the day. "Sure," he said. Time to feed the calves, Toby!

Before the calf feeding began, we presented Toby with an official Bremer Farms vest. I think he liked it!

Sara taught Toby the ins-and-outs of calf feeding. He commented on how fast each calf finished their milk and Sara explained that when they are full grown they will drink about a bathtub of water each day. I bet our calf Gordon never thought he would be fed by an NFL player!

Next it was time for the attending media to ask a few questions. Television, radio, magazines and newspaper folks asked Toby...which Viking would make a good farmer, who wouldn't be a good farmer, what message will you take away from this farm visit? And Toby shared his love for milk by saying he loves chocolate milk to refuel after a workout!

Before leaving the calf barn, Toby fell in love with one of our calves. Thanks to Toby, she is now named Bella!

Finally, we showed Toby the milking barn and explained the milking process. And lastly, it was off to see how and where the cows are fed.

Then it was back to the house for milk and cheese, and autograph signing. Toby said milk is still his first choice for a beverage at meals. Thanks to his parents who taught him the importance of milk in his diet! I asked him if he misses his mom's home-cooking and he said his mom always served tacos on Tuesdays and spaghetti on Thursdays. Sounds like some cheese was being served there!

Toby is not only a fantastic football player, but a fantastic person as well. 

Come back soon, Toby. I'm sure we can find a hungry calf for you to feed!

Visit Dairy Makes Sense  

to learn more about dairy farming and the importance of dairy in your day.

This And That Thursday - 10

A little bit of this and a little bit of that- here's what we've been up to. 

Minnesota weather seemed more like Santa's homeland, the North Pole, this week. We barely saw temperatures above 0 degrees. Our water pipes that carry the water from our plate cooler to our water tanks for the cows, felt the cold too. You can read about this process at Every Day Is Earth Day. Farmer John was greeted several mornings by frozen pipes that needed convincing to make the water flow.  

I would bet that most mom's can relate to this when preparing for company....doing a few extra jobs that have been "put on the back burner" for quite some time, seem to get done. Most people work best with a deadline and our farm is no exception. We are preparing for our visit from Minnesota Viking Toby Gerhart this coming week. I truly believe that our farm is always well kept and clean, but when entertaining a celebrity, and hosting news media, we look at everything with a very critical eye. Wish us luck as we finish our preparations. We may not have the biggest or newest farm, but you can bet that we have huge pride and passion for dairy farming!

Lastly, I am thrilled that the announcement was made this week that the popular Fuel Up To Play 60 program is sticking around for another five years after the National Dairy Council and National Football League renewed their partnership of the nation’s largest in-school wellness program. Thanks to our Minnesota Vikings for their involvement. Read about their involvement at a playground.

Visit Dairy Makes Sense

 

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

Minnesota Viking, Toby Gerhart!

 

 

 

Well, Toby (we are on a first name bases already) is not really coming for dinner, but he is coming for a visit to our farm later this month! How did this happen? Do you remember the Show Your Pride contest we entered? The contest guidelines were to enter a photo that shows our support for Fuel Up To Play 60 and the National Football League. Our prize? A visit from an NFL player! And our family is thrilled to have Toby Gerhart come to visit!

So now we need your help...If you were to meet a National Football League player, what would you ask him?  If you are a farmer, what would you show him on your farm and what part of farming would you take this opportunity to explain? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks! 

 

And Toby, if you are reading this...in case you decide to stay for dinner...what is your favorite food? I'll set an extra place at the table, just in case!

 

Visit Dairy Makes Sense

This and That Thursday - 7

A little bit of this and a little bit of that- here's what we've been up to. 

Yes, I get it. It is not Thursday. I know that. And yes, I know that I have not posted twice this week, as I usually do. But please forgive me as I update you on my faith, family, friends and farming.

Love and hugs to my mom

You may remember that my dad passed away in September. What I haven't shared with you is that exactly one month prior to my dad's passing, my mom suffered a stroke. She is a tiger and has been fighting fiercely to recover, but this past month an infection slowed her recovery and she is recovering in the hospital (damn diabetes). Please add her to your prayers as she continues her battle.

We are officially half-way finished with our corn harvest. We have 10,000 bushels of corn harvested, and drying in our storage bin. Two things are holding up our completion of the project- We have had three days of rain this week which does now allow combining to continue, and our supplier ran out of propane. Propane is used to fuel our corn drying facility. Without drying the stored corn, it will rot and not be usable to feed our animals. We are not-so-patiently waiting for a delivery.

This photo did not make the cut.

Speaking of patience...we are waiting to see when and who will be visiting our farm from the Show Your Pride contest. Which Minnesota Viking do you think it will be?

Meet Trudy. She is one of six new calves to join Bremer Farms this week, including a set of adorable, healthy twins from one of our favorite cows, Weezy. What a perfect treat for Halloween!

Learn more about farming and our dairy way of life at Dairy Makes Sense

This And That Thursday - 6

A little bit of this and a little bit of that- here's what we've been up to. 

 

  Congratulations Bremer Farms!

 Thanks to you, we did it! 

We were notified this week that our Show Your Pride photo was the winner! The contest guidelines were to enter a photo that shows our support for Fuel Up To Play 60 and the National Football League. Our prize? A visit from an NFL player! Oh, don't worry I'll tell you all about it when it happens!

As you may know, daughter Sara and I are both educators, and since we both had a couple days off from school this past week, it was time for an adventure. What a perfect time to visit Jim's Apple Farm. Yes, we love apples, but the true reason for our adventure is that Jim's is also home to Minnesota's largest candy store. See what we found...

 How is corn harvest progressing? I'll fill you in next week.

This And That Thursday - 5

A little bit of this and a little bit of that- here's what we've been up to. 

 

Meet Hilde, one of the three new heifer (girl) calves born this week. She gets plenty of attention to keep her happy and healthy so that when she gets older she will join the herd to produce milk. 

 

Alex taking a chocolate milk break. Even Power Rangers need to refuel. Alex's mommy sent me this photo. Do you have a favorite photo showing a dairy food or farm moment? If so, click on the Contact Me tab and send it my way. It may be featured on my blog!

This week we celebrated Michael's birthday by Cheering on the Minnesota Vikings. Perhaps our cheering wasn't loud enough, since the Vikes were not victorious, but it was still a great time!

Tomorrow is the last day to cast your vote for our Minnesota Vikings/farm photo in the Show Your Pride contest. Thanks for your votes!