A Is For Agriculture

Chances are you don't think a lot about agriculture. Do you think about cotton fields each time you slide into a pair of jeans? Do you think about soybeans every time you admire the Crayola masterpiece hanging on your refrigerator? Do you picture a cow each time you dive into a dish of frozen yogurt? Probably not. I know I don't.

Every day of our lives we are surrounded by agriculture. It's our food, fuel, clothing, and shelter! Agriculture provides us with these essentials, as well as many other products that are part of our daily lives.

Farm families make up less than 2% of the U.S. population. Farms are diverse in that some farm conventionally, while others are organic. Whether farms are big or small, we all have the same goal- producing the best product possible while still providing the best care for our animals and our land.
 

As you go through your day, I encourage you to think about agriculture. What did you do today that didn't involve an agriculture by-product?

J Is For Just a Farmer

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. 

  J is for Just A Farmer 

When I was a kid, and other kids would ask,"What does your dad do?" I would rather humbly reply, he's just a farmer. I don't know why I added the just in that reply. Actually, yes I do. I was just being a silly kid with silly kid thoughts. He was just a farmer because he didn't wear a suit and tie to work. He was just a farmer because he didn't get vacations for time off with our family. He was just a farmer because I didn't think he had an important job like the other kids dad's.

My dad got to just spend everyday with his family, working and playing. My dad got to just do the job he loved, everyday. My dad got to just help feed people. My dad got to just be a great example of what a proud, hardworking, compassionate farmer looks like.

As a kid I didn't get it. My dad, and farmers like him, are never just a farmer. As Father's Day rounds the corner, I thank God for my dad,

 the great man he was, and the great farmer he was. 

"What did your dad do?"

My dad was a farmer, and I'm proud of him.

I love you and I miss you... you were never just a dad to me.

Our Pat on the Back

 L-R, Roy and Karen Bremer, Commissioner Schouweiler, John, Michael, Sara and Janet Bremer Back row- Dakota County Commissioners

Everyone enjoys an acknowledgement of a job well done. Farmers are no different. Our "pat on the back" came on Tuesday of this week when we received the 2012 Farm Family of the Year award given by the University Of Minnesota. The Farm Family recognition program has existed for three decades and honors several farm families throughout Minnesota for their contributions to the agriculture industry and their communities. The presentation was made at the Dakota County Board of Commissioners meeting. After thanking the University and the Commissioners for this honor and their continued support of the agriculture industry, we concluded by saying- Farming can be a rewarding as well as challenging occupation. As a Farm Family we have done a lot of hard work to make our farm successful. We are a proud Farm Family that cares for, and respects our animals and our land. Lastly, in the spirit of June Dairy Month, we presented each attendee with a "3 Every Day" pen and an "I Met a Dairy Farmer!" sticker, which the County Attorney assured us he would proudly show everyone at the meeting he was going to. A perfect compliment to June Dairy Month!