Testifying On The Milk As Default Bill

Yesterday I testified before the House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division in response to the bill to make milk a default beverage for children's meals in Minnesota. California, Vermont, and Hawaii have already adopted this law, in hopes of impacting children's health and revitalizing the dairy community. You can view my testimony here, or I have printed my testimony below.

Good morning, my name is Janet Bremer, and I dairy  farm with my husband John in Hastings. I am also the Minnesota Dairy Princess Coordinator, working with Princess Kay of the Milky Way. When you go to the Minnesota State Fair, and visit the butter sculptures...those are my girls! But today I am here to talk about milk. Milk is our state’s official drink, and my husband and I  are proud to be among the 2,500 dairy farmers producing it every single day. 

It was one year ago when my husband John and I attended Dairy Day at the Capitol and while visiting with Senator Bigham and Representative Jurgens, John expressed an idea that he had read about ...making milk the default beverage for children’s meals. I could sit here and tell you the benefits of the 9 essential nutrients found in milk, and also tell you about the health benefits, but I am going to leave those topics to the health advocacy groups that are here today.

My husband John and I are fifth and sixth generation dairy farmers. I guess you can say farming is in our blood. John and I have always been active advocates for the dairy community. Almost 30 years ago I was hosting a school tour to our dairy farm, after explaining to the group of students what we do every day to care for our animals and our land, and describing a typical day on the farm that begins at 6:00 AM and ends 14 or more hours later, a 3rd grader asked me, "What is your husband's REAL job?" That 3rd graders question really got me to thinking about how important it is for me as a farmer to share our story, (what we do, why we do it, and the benefits of dairy foods). It’s important to share our story to all ages. 

 My hope today is that you get a glimpse of my family’s passion for the dairy industry. We are active on social media, host farm tours, make school visits, host a huge Christmas on the farm event, and I have even had several opportunities to promote dairy with the Minnesota Vikings. And today  I am here before you, sharing my dairy story and the importance of milk...advocating in a much different way. 

 Minnesota’s dairy industry has a $9 billion impact on the state. Farm employees, veterinarians, processing plants, transportation companies, retailers, all rely on Minnesota’s dairy contribution. We dairy farmers have been struggling financially. I know you have heard about the low milk prices, poor mental health, and many dairy farmers leaving the career they love. Minnesota’s dairy farmers need your help. This bill could help lay the groundwork for revitalizing the dairy industry. Fluid milk sales have slipped in recent years, partially due to children being given the option of sugary drinks. As dairy farmers, we hope you join us in support of this bill, which does not take away choices, but helps nudge people in the right direction of a healthier future for their children, and simultaneously benefits Minnesota dairy farms by incorporating Minnesota’s official drink with children’s meals. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you to Representative Jeff Brand for co-authoring this bill and asking me to testify.

We now wait to see what the next step is. We are hoping for a hearing with the Senate committee as well. Stay tuned...

K is for Kisses

There is no sweeter sign of affection than a kiss. 

We get lots and lots of kisses on our farm.

We get cute kisses,

sloppy kisses,

hello kisses,

welcome back kisses,

cold kisses,

surprise kisses,

and even tickled-by-whiskers kisses.

But we give kisses too!

D is for Different

Just like no two cows having the same pattern of spots, no two cows have the same personality. Sara spends most evenings being the one to walk through our herd and check on things before heading in for the night.  I turned the keyboard over to her to say a few words about some of our ladies.

Lottie

If Lottie were a person, she would be the middle aged woman that goes to yoga 4-5 times a week.  She has been on our farm for eleven years but is in tip top shape.  Like most women who do a lot of yoga, she is also super zen.  Then again I'm generalizing because I don't know anyone that consistently goes to yoga, but I digress.  She is always chewing her cud and slowly sauntering from barn to barn just enjoying each and every moment of her day.  She always gets a special greeting from my dad when she comes in for milking, "Here's Lottie, calmest cow in the herd.  Always chewin' her cud, always happy."

Nellie

Nellie...oh boy...I think in a former life she was a house pet.  She follows me around like a puppy wherever I go.  Most nights she won't do anything if she doesn't get some one-on-one time where I can rub under her chin and behind her ears.  I might think she's had enough, but Nellie decides when she has truly had enough.  If you haven't looked at the My Barnyard View Facebook page, then you are missing out on some great videos and photos of Nellie being Nellie.

Georgia

She is one of the most reliable cows you'll ever meet.  She stands in the same places at the same times everyday.  Mike is responsible for her name after a random remark he made while brushing her when she was younger. His comment, "Girl, your fur is as dark as that Midnight Train to Georgia."  All you Gladys Knight fans out there will get that reference.  She's also discovered that she is my height.  She loves to stand by me during milking because she has realized she can scratch that hard-to-reach spot on her back, on my shoulder.  She also likes hugs where she rests her head on my shoulder and I wrap my arms around her neck in a hug.  It's like I get to tuck her in for bed each night after milking.

Hildegard or Hildie

Yep, Hildegard, you read that right.  Grandma Karen confessed one night that Hildegard was a name she always liked for a little baby girl.  It was finally used for one of Grandma's favorite calves five years ago.  Hildie is a super shy cow.  She is really friendly, but she does like her alone time and likes things quiet.  She isn't one to rush to the food line or shove to get to the water first.  She just hangs back and waits because she knows there will always be enough.  We also know when almost all the cows have been milked because each night she comes in when there are 18-22 cows left to be milked.  We don't know how she does it, but we appreciate the progress update.  We realized she did this about a year ago and tracked it for a few weeks and man is she reliable.

There are over 100 ladies I could sit and tell you stories about, and each of those stories would be totally different from the last.  That's what makes working with cows so special.  Each cow has their own story to tell and you just have to be willing to listen.      ~Sara

Dairy Farmers and the Super Bowl

Are you ready for some football?

As the Super Bowl drew near, football seemed to be on most every Minnesotans mind. As Minnesota welcomed the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles for the Big Game, dairy farmers were gearing up for the Super Bowl as well.

Having never attended a Super Bowl, I had no idea all the surrounding activities that happen in the host city. For one week prior to the game, there were events, parties, displays, and concerts. Many of these included the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. If you haven't heard of this program, it is a school nutrition and exercise program launched by National Dairy Council and the National football League in collabaration with the USDA to improve health and wellness for kids. The key to Fuel Up to Play 60's success is having a strong student foundation, a team of committed educators and community engagement, with the goal of building a healthy, high-achieving generation of youth.

Dairy farmers participated at several  FUTP60 events during Super Bowl week. Daughter Sara and I were involved in the "Super Bowl Experience" which is sort-of a fair with displays and activities around anything and everything football. Attendees could view past Super Bowl rings, get up close to the Lombardi trophy, observe NFL broadcasts in the making, and even do the combine drills. It was a huge week-long celebration, but the part I enjoyed the most was assisting with the Fuel Up to Play 60 area in the kids zone.

   

Dairy farmers manned a booth which gave football fans the opportunity to visit a dairy farm (and NFL locker room) through a virtual reality game. Here's Sara helping a fan get ready to play the VR game.

As with any big, well attended event, fans waited in long lines. This gave us a great opportunity to speak about our farm, dairy foods, the importance of eating right, and also explain the FUTP60 program. It was a fun time to answer questions and even teach through the trivia we shared. My favorite questions was, "I didn't know you had to milk cows every day. When do you go on vacation?" Here Sara is explaining what happens in each of the buildings on a dairy farm.

The cheese samples we handed out were a big score too!

I also had the opportunity to be the "special guest" as school age children were invited to the skills and drills field. Students were welcomed by a dairy farmer and an NFL player to get in their 60 minutes of physical activity by participating in on-field drills. I was paired with Kareem Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs.

We began by sharing about ourselves so I got to tell about my dairy farm, what we do each day on the farm, and what happens to the milk when it leaves the farm. After Kareem shared about being a pro football player, and also telling us that chocolate milk is the BEST, we led the kids through the activities. Below is a relay showing the importance of eating right every single day!

I am proud to be a part of the dairy community that puts a strong emphasis on the health of our youth. I appreciate that dairy farmers have the chance to collaborate with the National Football League to encourage exercise and good nutrition.

After the group picture, the students pledged to continue to lead a healthy lifestyle by eating right and getting their 60 minutes of activity each day.

Being a part of the Super Bowl Experience was great, and rubbing elbows with NFL players wasn't too bad either   ; )

2017 Top Five

2017 Top Five Most Viewed Blog Posts

My Barnyard View

Click on the blog post titles and you can read what you missed.

5. Harvest17 Is In The Books Like every job, there are good days and bad days. I love driving the combine, but some days can be a bit trying. Read about our successful harvest and the bumps along the way.

4. Flavor Of The Fair Each year you get to help decide what the new malt flavor is at the Minnesota State Fair. In this blog post, I got to be one of the first to taste and see the unveiling of the top three flavors. Dill pickles in a malt?

3. I Won! Even though my parents, all of my grandparents, and all of my aunts and uncles were dairy farmers (yes, everyone of them were farmers) we also have a commitment to being involved in our communities. Read about my latest involvement off the farm.

2. Super Bowl and Super School Breakfast Dairy farming, sharing my dairy story, and my love for football are all combined in this blog post as I had the opportunity to visit a local school. See what dairy farming and the Super Bowl have to do with each other. And yes, with the Big Game only a few weeks away, I am still praying the Minnesota Vikings will be playing that day!

1. Santa On Bremer Farms Our first attempt at a Christmas event at Bremer Farms was a huge success. This blog post recaps our first Santa on the Farm in 2016. It went well, but 2017 Santa on the Farm grew by leaps and bounds! With 2017's Santa On The Farm already in the books, we have been discussing what new things 2018's event will bring. Watching cows being milked from the warmth of your car... a new light show synced to music...

Thank you for joining my family and I as we continue our journey as proud and passionate dairy farmers. Let me know if you have questions or a topic you want to know about.

AND

Have you "liked" My Barnyard View on Facebook? I'm always sharing something, including photos from the farm, when my latest blog post is up, and even giveaways!

Meet Farmer John

This week I have shared about our children Sara and Michael, and now it's Farmer John's turn to be featured.

  "I'll never marry a farmer. They work long hours and never take a day off." That's what I said as a teen...but as the saying goes, never say never! I've known John our entire life, as we grew up in the same church, but it wasn't until I returned home after graduating from college that we started dating. We've been married for 33 years and I still admire his dedication to farm and family.

Long days and late nights are a part of many dairy farmers lives, but Farmer John never complains. He loves what he does, and hopes to farm forever! He approaches every task with passion and commitment to do the best job possible. His philosophy is "leave everything better than you found it," and that's an important rule to live by for a farmer as he realizes the importance of properly caring for the land as well as our animals. 

 If you don't find Farmer John in the barn milking cows, or in a field preparing the crops, you may find him talking to our County Commissioner about the latest concerns affecting our farming community. Perhaps you'll see him leading the monthly meetings as the chairman of our township planning commission, or maybe serving on our church council. No matter where you find him, it's always with passion and dedication.

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! 

I'm Not Retiring, I'm Reinventing

There have been a lot of changes in my world lately. 

For the past 19 years I have helped students that struggle with reading and math, but this past week was the end of my career as a Title One Instructor. I have chosen to retire. I think my friend Becky said it best, "You're not retiring, you're reinventing." I feel that is a pretty good description of what's happening. Retirement can mean laying on the beach sipping drinks with those little umbrellas, or traveling, or spending time with grand kids. Nope, nope, and nope. For me it means devoting time to other adventures.

One of those adventures came about last January when my responsibilities as the Minnesota Dairy Princess Coordinator increased. Besides the opportunities I mentioned in 12 Good Reasons, I now also organize the May Leadership and Promotion Event that was held this past weekend where the finalists for Minnesota's goodwill ambassador, Princess Kay of the Milky Way, are chosen. I am happy to announce that the dairy farmers of Minnesota will again be represented by twelve dedicated young woman ready to share their passion for the dairy community. 

Introducing the 2017 finalists:

• Emily Annexstad, 19, St. Peter, daughter of Rolf and Jean Annexstad, and representing Nicollet County;
• Anna Broll, 19, Chaska, daughter of Dan and Kathie Broll, and representing Carver County;
• Shelby Campbell, 19, Maple Lake, daughter of LeRoy Campbell and Donna Decker, and representing Wright County;
• Gina Holdvogt, 19, Freeport, daughter of Alvin and Bernie Holdvogt, and representing Stearns County;
• Abby Hopp, 19, Chatfield, daughter of Doug and Heather Hopp, and representing Fillmore County;
• Madelin Lindahl, 20, Lindstrom, daughter of Kevin and Tara Lindahl, and representing Chisago County;
• Quinci Scherber, 23, Rogers, daughter of John and Staci Scherber, and representing Hennepin County;
• Rebecca Schubert, 18, Rice, daughter of Natalie and Jerome Schubert, and representing Benton County;
• Margaret Socha, 18, Corcoran, daughter of Michael and Donna Socha, and representing Wright County;
• Samantha Traxler, 18, Cleveland, daughter of Brian and Patty Pettis, and Brian and Heather Traxler, and representing Le Sueur County;
• Ashley Warren, 19, Watkins, daughter of John and Carol Warren, and representing Meeker County; and
• Jessaca Zuidema, 19, Blomkest, daughter of Jan and Jolene Zuidema, and representing Kandiyohi County.

T Is For Teeth and Trivia

Do cows bite?

I get this question often.
Have you ever seen a cow smile?

If so, it did not look like this.

Google image

Cows have 32 teeth, just like us, but cows do not have upper front teeth. Instead cows have a tough dental pad. They could "gum" you, but they can't bite you.

Why no front teeth?

Since cows are plant eaters, rather than meat eaters, they have no need for front incisors. Cows use their bottom teeth and their tongue to rip the grass or hay. They toss it in their mouths and swallow it whole, almost without chewing. When she has her fill, the cow then regurgitates it and chews it again using the top and bottom molars in the back of its mouth before swallowing it again. Once it is thoroughly chewed it is swallowed again and digested. Cows can spend about 8 hours a day eating, and another 8 hours per day chewing their cud. 

So what other interesting facts can I share today?

• Cows can smell odors up to 6 miles away.
• Cows can lick and pick their nose with their tongues.
• Cows drink about a bathtub full of water each day.
• Cow's spots are like snowflakes. No two cows are alike.

And did you know-

Google image

See you tomorrow as our June Dairy Month A to Z journey continues.

Q Is For QT's

Q is not an easy letter to work with, so I fudged a little. 

Q Is For QT (cutie).

I can't think of anything cuter than a calf. Let me introduce you to a few of Bremer's QT's!

Some are sassy.

Some are curious.

Some love to share.

And some are hams for the camera.

They all live in our "calf hotel."

They are all well cared for, well fed, and well loved!

 

 Pledge #Dairy3ForMe here