Take a Hike, Mike!

Do you remember the weather during the month of June? Here at Bremer Farms we had eight days of over 90 degree heat and we had 20 days with rainfall. June was a somewhat crazy  month where the weather was concerned, but that is not where crazy ends. Bremer Farms spent the month of June preparing for celebrity status as we filmed "Take a Hike, Mike!" for our local cable TV station. Filming with the heat and the raindrops proved challenging, but fun.

Our son, Michael is in the third season of his show, "Take a Hike, Mike!" where he visits a local business, learns about it, and lends a helping hand. His goal is to educate the community on little-known businesses. So what better way to promote agriculture and dairy farming than to have Michael lend a helping hand at Bremer Farms. But don't let his lack of knowledge fool you. Actually, Michael farms every day besides working full time at Hastings Community TV, so he did a little "pretending" when John was teaching him about farming for this episode. And don't let the jokes fool you either. We take farming and caring for our land and animals very seriously, but who says we can't have a good laugh along the way?

Click here to view the video  Take a Hike, Mike! Bremer Farms Video 

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Bremer Farms! Autograph? Sure, I'd be happy to sign one for you!

Find Michael on facebook by searching "take a hike mike" to see some of his other adventures. 

School Tools

Our Education Minnesota calendar from the State Fair

Crayons, pencils, notebooks! I remember when I was younger, how excited I was to go shopping for my school supplies. My parents were the practical, thrifty type, so it was usually the standard yellow pencils, solid color notebooks (no current cartoon characters or TV star covers for me) and I got the basic 24 Crayola box, even though I begged for the 64 Crayons with the built-in sharpener. But once the first day of school rolled around, I learned most of my classmates also had practical, thrifty parents!

With Labor Day behind us for another year, this means school began this week. Our daughter Sara and I are both employed by our local school district. Sara is an 8th grade English teacher. Many people have told her that she has already earned her place in Heaven as a reward for working with Middle-Schoolers, but she loves teaching and her students and wouldn't change a thing. I am always impressed by Sara's creative approach to teaching and the hours outside of her work day that she spends preparing. I often have a "proud mom" moment when parents tell me their child has Sara as a teacher, and they LOVE her!

School has begun, but not for me...yet. I am a Title 1 Instructional Assistant which means I help students that need a little extra help with reading or math. Later in September I will start my 15th year working with students in Kindergarten through Fourth Grade. I love, love, love my job and am thrilled when students have that "I get it!" look on their faces.

Now that the school supplies are bought, let's all remember that one of the most important school tools is a healthy breakfast. You can get some great breakfast ideas at dairy makes sense. I love the Yogurt and Banana Spice Muffins. Give them a try!

I hope your family has a wonderful school year with lots of  "I get it!" moments!

Hannah Holstein's Highlights

Hannah Holstein at the Minnesota State Fair
Day 6

 Victoria Haler, one of the beautiful Princess Kay finalists.

Sara and I in the BIG sandbox

My friend Megan's grapes. 1st place!

Hi! Hannah Holstein here, and as the saying goes, "all good things must come to an end." So today I say farewell to the Minnesota State Fair.

Cousin Kayla- 4-H purple ribbon demonstration on cow milking.

Michael and I refreshed our milking skills.

I love tractors!

My friend Alicia is a blue ribbon pickle maker!

Red and White Dairy judging. And the winner is...

Sara's new moo-friend. A purchase to aid cancer research.

I see a sea of people!

Congratulations! It's a Girl!

Hannah Holstein at the Minnesota State Fair
Day 5

 
There is one place I enjoy visiting even though it is something I see often on our farm. I love going to the Miracle of Birth Center. During the 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair we can see many calves, piglets, sheep, and goats welcomed into the world. No matter what age the fair-goer, the expression on their faces is the same...WOW! The birthing process is truly a miracle. 

 Just like the "miracle workers" at the Fair, Dairy Farmers provide comfortable, safe  and clean conditions for both the cow and the calf during the birthing process and afterward. Prior to giving birth, the pregnant cow is housed in a birthing pen filled with soft straw where she is given individual care and attention.

During the birth of a calf, a close eye is kept on both cow and calf to ensure the health of both animals. Dairy Farmers and their veterinarians are available to provide assistance if needed. After birth, calves are separated from their mothers to ensure the best individual care and monitoring. We bottle-feed our calves individually to make sure they receive good nutrition.

 As of the ninth day of the Fair, fair visitors have welcomed 10 calves, 103 piglets, 17 lambs and 6 goats into the world. 

Let's go celebrate! Raise a glass of cold, refreshing milk at the All-You-Can-Drink Milk Booth. We are welcoming 136 new miracles to the Fair. Cheers!

The Cow Says Moo

Hannah Holstein at the Minnesota State Fair
Day 4

Caution! People Crossing

John and I spent the afternoon sharing our stories and experiences of dairy farming, and answered many questions too. We volunteered at the Moo Booth at the Minnesota State Fair. The Moo Booth gives farmers the opportunity to volunteer to inform and educate fair visitors about dairy farming. It's our way of connecting with consumers to hear what their questions and concerns are, and it gives consumers a chance to meet a dairy farmer face-to-face.

Young fair-goers spin the Moolette Wheel

What does a cow say? Where does milk come from? These were some of the questions I asked young fair-goers that stopped at the "Moolette Wheel" in the Moo Booth. I got a lot of questions about our farm, "How many cows do you have? Where do you live? Really, there is a farm that close to the city? Do you help milk the cows?" (120, Hastings, Yes, and Yes!)

Dave and I got the detectives started on their search.

After tending the Moolette Wheel, I also took a turn at the C.S.I. (Cow Scene Investigation) station. Here Dave Weinand, from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, and I greeted folks to the Mooth Booth and handed out trivia question forms which were a list of questions about dairy. The answers could be found throughout the booth. After a little detective work the fair visitors brought the forms back for us to check and discuss their answers, and of course there were prizes! What a fun way to learn the basics of "cowology."

John discusses the milking process

 John spent his afternoon talking with visitors at the Milking Parlor. People were asking about how the drought is affecting farming. Others wanted to know the current milk price, and others asked questions about proper, safe handling of milk. It was exciting to see the enthusiasm consumers have for our products, and the concern they have for the farming industry. John also enjoyed the retired farmers that stopped by to reminisce a bit.













After our volunteer time, we headed straight to the Dairy Goodness Bar. Hannah Holstein voted for twist cones and neither John or I argued with that decision!

Minnesota's Newest Farm Hand

Hannah Holstein at the Minnesota State Fair

Day 3

Today Hannah Holstein became a "Little Farm Hand", probably the littlest Farm Hand! Our first destination at the Minnesota State Fair was the "Little Farm Hands" exhibit sponsored by Kemps. This interactive display walks "Little Farm Hands" and their families through the farming process beginning with purchasing the seed. Come along as Hannah experiences education and entertainment rolled into one exciting journey through the eyes of a farmer.

After buying seeds, Hannah drove her pedal tractor to plant them.

Hannah waited her turn to milk the cow.

After milking the cow, collecting eggs, picking apples and harvesting the garden, it was time for a rest with Farmer Charlie Brown. The last stop was the grocery store where we could spend some of our farm income. 

This entire experience is so much fun for the Little Farm Hands and all along the route there are kid friendly farm facts that even the moms and dads can learn from.

The best part of this exhibit is how much the families are learning about farming. The amount of knowledge farmers need and their dedication to their land and animals is very clear throughout the display. Thank you Kemps for giving the city folks a little taste of the country life!

Hannah wanted her picture taken with the Kemps State Fair cow.

Hannah Holstein and 4-H

Jan judging 4-H demonstrations

Hannah Holstein at the Minnesota State Fair

Day 2

The 4-H program has always been a big part of my life. Back when I was 12 years old, I did my first Minnesota State Fair demonstration on Platform IV in the 4-H Building. "Color My World" was the demonstration title and I showed how to use different color schemes to decorate your home. I was nervous and excited at the same time. From that day forward I was hooked on demonstrating, so it is no surprise that I judge demonstrations at many County Fairs as well as the State Fair. This year Sara and I will judge 4-H demonstrations three days at the Minnesota State Fair. Come on Hannah Holstein, it's back to the fair. Yipee!

Hannah Holstein enjoyed Meghan's Peanut Butter Bars

Mary taught fair-goers how to raise calves

One of the benefits of judging is that we judges get to enjoy a delicious meal at the 4-H Dining Hall. The 4-H Building is affectionately called the 4-H Hilton, which I'm sure refers to the deluxe accommodations. Now that I recall my 4-H days, I don't think the 4-H Building has changed since I was twelve. The food is great however, and my niece Dena (L), who works at the fair, and Sara (R), topped off their meal with milk. They know that milk gives them protein and riboflavin which provides the energy they need to enjoy the great Minnesota State Fair!