Dairy Star • Saturday, May 10, 2014 • Page 15
Olmsted County continued portant to me because it gives me the opportunity to promote the dairy industry and what my family does for a living. It also gives me the opportunity to talk to young kids and adults about the importance of getting their three-a-day of milk, cheese and yogurt. If you were giving a presentation to your local rotary club, what key message would you focus on and why? When giving a presentation to the local rotary club, the key message I would focus on is the role that the dairy industry plays in our economy. There are thousands of jobs that are created because of the dairy industry, which help with our economy. Without farmers taking care of their animals and their land, there would not be these jobs.
Pine County Parents: Frank and Shelley Moyer Town: Hinckley Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on, and your future plans. Although I didn’t grow up on a farm, I have grown up around farms. When I was younger, I always wanted to be a veterinarian, but when I started volunteering at a veterinary clinic, I realized I loved Hannah Moyer, 19 working with cattle. Now Dairy Star Sponsor: that I work for two dairy Fluegge’s Ag farmers, I have fallen in Mora, MN love with dairy cattle and 320-679-2981 plan on going to college to study dairy science, majoring in genetics and nutrition. What has been the best part of growing up and/or working on a dairy farm? Working for two dairy farmers is a wonderful experience. Since both farms are so vastly different, I’ve been able to view two diverse ways of dairy farming. The difference between using a bull as opposed to AI, a parlor versus a stanchion barn, and the difference between first and third generation farming. However, my favorite part of working on a dairy farm is working and learning more about cows, plus I love the people I work for. Why is being a county dairy princess important to you? I see this as an opportunity to be able to help people understand the dairy industry better. Dairy farmers work hard to provide people with the best possible product. I would like to have an opportunity to learn more about the dairy industry, and in doing so, help to educate others. If you were giving a presentation to your local rotary club, what key message would you focus on and why? My key message would be to talk about the benefits of dairy. Promoting healthy dairy choices, such as Greek yogurt, Kefir and cheddar cheese, and explaining how these are healthy choices as well as what makes them good for you. In addition to the health of dairy, I would explain how farmers are proudly working to make their milk a higher grade so these products can be better for us. Parents: Scott and Sarah Swanson Town: Bruno Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on, and your future plans. I have worked at Sunshine Dairy for two years and I love it. After this summer, I plan to go to Northwestern University in St. Paul where I will major in communications. I want to travel and study abroad, Hannah Swanson, so that is definitely some18 thing I’m looking forward Dairy Star Sponsor: to. Fluegge’s Ag What has been the Mora, MN best part of growing up 320-679-2981 and/or working on a dairy farm? For me, the best part of working on a dairy farm has been becoming close with the family I work for. They are like
Pine County continued a second family to me and I am so blessed to have them in my life. I will miss them and our movie nights when I go off to college. Why is being a county dairy princess important to you? Being a dairy princess is about meeting people and sharing your enthusiasm about the dairy industry. Being able to be confident about your profession and proud of your hard work is something for people to admire and look up to. If you were giving a presentation to your local rotary club, what key message would you focus on and why? The message I would like to get across is that we must appreciate and value our farmers in the area. God has given them a massive responsibility that many overlook. However, they willingly work hard to provide for their families and people around the world. God bless our farmers.
Pipestone County Parents: John and Berlinda Vander Wal Town: Pipestone Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on, and your future plans. My family and I own and operate Newalta Dairy. We have 2,000 milk cows and about 1,500 heifers. At home, I work a lot with the calves and the show heifers. Right now, I am attending South Dakota Bernice Vander State University with a Wal, 19 major in animal science. Dairy Star Sponsor: When I graduate from colGorter’s Clay and lege, I would like to purDairy Equipment sue a job as a calf specialPipestone, MN ist. 507-825-3271 What has been the best part of growing up and/or working on a dairy farm? The best part about growing up on a dairy farm is all the opportunities I have on and off the farm. On the farm, I have the opportunity to work with newborn calves, herd health, milking, show cattle and other endless jobs around the farm. Off the farm, I have the opportunity to be in 4-H, Minnesota Holstein Association, SDSU Dairy Club and other activities that the dairy industry has to offer. Growing up on a dairy farm has given me friendships that will last a lifetime. I am so blessed to be in a industry that offers so many opportunities. Why is being a county dairy princess important to you? Being a county dairy princess is important to me because the dairy industry has been a very important part of my life. I want to tell other people about the importance of the industry. It is important to let the younger generation know why milk and all the other milk products are important for the body and what it does to them. Not only is it important for the children to know this, but also the parents. I want parents to know that milk is very important part of a young child’s diet. If you were giving a presentation to your local rotary club, what key message would you focus on and why? Agriculture is growing and expanding every day. Farmers are tasked with the job to feed millions of people and are doing an incredible job of meeting all those expectations in an economical and substantial way. Farmers work hard every day to make sure there is enough food to go around for the whole nation.
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Pope County Parents: Jay and Emily Backowski Town: Villard Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on, and your future plans. My name is Katherine Backowski; I am a senior at Osakis Public School. I am involved in 4-H, FFA, Project 4 Teens, and also am a religious education teacher for third graders at Immaculate Conception Katherine Church in Osakis. I am Backowski, 18 employed at Target where Dairy Star Sponsor: I work in Starbucks, but Osakis Creamery my favorite job is working Association for the Thurk family on Osakis, MN their dairy farm. My fu320-859-2146 ture plans include attending North Dakota State University with a major in agribusiness. What has been the best part of growing up and/or working on a dairy farm? My favorite part about working on a dairy farm has been working with the animals and learning important facts about the dairy industry. Since I started being employed for the Thurk family, I have a newly found respect for all farmers and their hard work. I appreciate the sense of satisfaction I get from knowing I play a role in producing a quality food product for human consumption. Why is being a county dairy princess important to you? Being a county dairy princess is important to me because it provides an opportunity to promote something that I truly believe in and I am excited to be a part of. I firmly believe that by being a representative for the dairy industry I can help educate and promote the industry to make it better known. If you were giving a presentation to your local rotary club, what key message would you focus on and why? My message that I would address is knowing your farmer and your food source. Because of my experience in working with a grocery franchise, I receive many questions about is our food safe and where is it coming from. I would explain this by the rigorous safety standards farmers have to meet in order to sell their products. I would also be an advocate for the “Know Your Farmer Know Your Food” USDA initiative which ties together with food safety. Parents: Brian and Stacy Wildman Town: Glenwood Tell us about yourself, the farm you live and/or work on, and your future plans. I have lived in Pope County all my life on a 4,500 acre farm with 40 dairy cows. I love to read, travel, be outdoors, and spend time with family and friends. Next year, I plan to attend the University of North Rachel Wildman, Dakota in hopes of pursu18 ing a degree in nursing. Dairy Star Sponsor: What has been the CHS Prairie Lakes best part of growing 800-808-1626 up and/or working on a dairy farm? There are many great things about living on a farm. I love the feeling of freedom and the opportunity that goes along with it. My sisters and I have many memories from the farm and have had many interesting adventures. The life lessons I have learned are irreplaceable and things that I will pass on to my own children. Why is being a county dairy princess important to you? Being a county dairy princess means a lot to me and my family. I spent the majority of my life learning how to farm and what separates a good farmer from a great farmer. My dad works extremely hard to be that great farmer and I want people to know what it feels like to be a part of a family farm. I am
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