My three favorite things are represented on the cover of this magazine – my family, my job and my hobby. For years, my wife has been asking when our kids get a chance to be on the cover of our June Dairy Month issue.

Celebrate June Dairy Month with these tried-and-true recipes, straight from the kitchens of real farmwomen who use real dairy products as a staple ingredient. They are kid-tested and potluck-approved.

Cows take the main stage as characters in many children’s stories, but not all books accurately depict life on a modern dairy farm. Whether the audience is a fourth-grade classroom or your own children, check out these recommended reads that deliver educational messages and even a few laughs.

Growing up on a cattle ranch, I have spent many hours in the saddle on cattle drives. The cattle needed to be moved to greener pastures, no matter what the weather. Some days were bright and shiny and a pleasure to saddle up and ride out on the range. Some days, the wind was blowing dust in billows to where you almost couldn’t breathe.

I dance and sing on a daily basis in the calf barn. From a young age, I’ve always loved to do both and found dancing helps relieve stress for me. Everyone deals with stress and, if you’re a dairy farmer, you’re dealing with a ton more stress than the average person right now.

Recently, the news came out evangelist Billy Graham had died. Although he was 99 years old, when I heard of his passing, I had to stop and do a lot of remembering. I, along with a lot of other Americans and people from around the world, owe a lot to this man. It certainly can be said Billy Graham impacted the world for God.

Farmers elected Donald Trump as the 45th president of the U.S., granting him 75 percent of the votes in the Farm Belt and heavy margins of victory in other rural areas. Those in agriculture are largely responsible for his success in key swing states needed to win the election.

Performing stand-up comedy, I’ve had the opportunity to meet farmers from all over the U.S. and Canada. We all have three things in common. We’re broke, we love to laugh, and we never turn down a meal.

When did weaning calves become a race? Except it’s not a race to see who can wean them quickest; it feels like we’re bragging as to who can leave them on milk longer. Lately, it feels like farmers are trying to raise bigger calves. But is bigger better? Shouldn’t we be striving for more productive, efficient calves?

I love Progressive Dairyman magazine; there is so much high-quality information in there that I barely get it read before the next edition arrives! “Progressive” sounds like a positive word, but what does it mean? I found a few definitions, but the one I like most is “favoring or promoting progress.” Progressive Dairyman lives up to its name. Its pages are often filled with information and ideas to bring about positive change; I like that.