So Proud of "Take A Hike, Mike!"

It's easy for parents to say, "We are so proud of our ________ (insert son or daughter here)." But John and I are especially excited to say it, because our son Michael just received a national award!

Michael is the Executive Director of our local Community Television station, HCTV. Last week the NATOA (National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors) awards were announced and Michael came away a winner, not once but twice, for his show "Take A Hike, Mike!"

"Take a Hike, Mike!" visits businesses for a day to learn about what they do, and to lend a helping hand. It's a fun way to showcase local stores, restaurants, factories, services, and yes, even a farm! 

Michael's winning entry was filmed right here, on Bremer Farms. He learned about combining corn, feeding calves, and introduced viewers to Grandma Bremer, and our farm helper Ella, and a few of his favorite cows. It's just one more way to let folks know what happens on a dairy farm!

Full disclosure- Michael DID know how to combine corn and feed calves before filming this episode. 😉

Congratulations to Michael for his 2nd place award for "Take A Hike, Mike! Port of Hastings Outfitters" also. HCTV received five more top awards along with numerous honorable mentions too.

So, it's easy for John and I to say, "We are so proud of our son (insert Michael here)." And this is just one of the reasons we are proud parents!

You can see other "Take A Hike, Mike!" episodes on YouTube.

Meet Michael...and Nina

"Mom always liked me best!" 

I wasn't about to risk hearing this from Sara or Michael, so since I highlighted our daughter Sara this week, today I'd like to feature our son Michael...and Nina. I've shared this photo of Michael and Nina before, but it still makes me smile, and it describes them both perfectly. 

Nina loves people, and giving cow kisses! She will give you a gentle nudge if you don't acknowledge her as you walk by, and don't even think about her leaving the milking barn until she gets a pat on the nose. Michael is a true animal lover, a comedian, and a farm boy any farmer dad would be proud of.

Michael is a champion skid steer driver, scooping da poop every day to keep our cows happy, healthy, and comfortable. 

 Michael is also the morning milker on Bremer Farms, and right after the cows are milked he heads to Hastings to star on "Take A Hike, Mike!" his TV show where he visits local businesses and lends a helping hand. Perhaps I'm using the term helping a bit too liberally, since at the end of each episode he's told to take a hike! Here's a taste of his show where Michael featured our farm-

A farm boy with a TV show! What else? Even though Michael's off-the-farm job is filming and editing productions each day at his job, it's also his hobby. Whether it's filming while flying a drone, filming with a camera strapped to his head, or filming while following his mom around when she narrates a tour of our farm; you can bet he does it well. He's a perfectionist.

God gave us undoubtedly the best kids ever!