Most people understand that what we eat affects our physical health – our weight, our energy levels, and our risk for chronic disease. But fewer people realize the profound impact food has on our mental health. What we put on our plates can either support or sabotage our state of mind.

Spring is often thought of as a time with tulips in bloom, buds on the trees and green grass again. While these may be some of the highlights of spring, I feel that as a season, it is so much more than that.

Almost 50 years ago, my Christmas wish list had just one thing: The Marvelous Milking Machine. If you grew up in the '70s or early '80s, you might remember her better by her official name – Milky the Marvelous Milking Cow.

My wife handed me Dad’s shoes … hmm … what do I do with them? I knew these were Dad’s last pair of work shoes he used while we still had cows.

As a dairy farmer, there are many joys that I get out of my career, but there are a small handful that easily rise to the top of my list. Those being: educating consumers on where their food comes from, every day is made up of the same chores but no two days are the same, and taking care of these wonderful creations and believing in tomorrow as a farmer.

What do you think of when you hear the terms "dairy farm" or "dairy farmer"? For most, I think the images that first come to mind are black and white cows, milk, red barns, long days and/or physical work. All of these are very true, but there is so much more to dairy farming than just those keywords. Those five things being cows, family, determination/perseverance, faith and hard work.

There is a lot that goes into producing a movie. It’s kind of like a feed ration for cows. You have the paper ration from your nutritionist, the ration you actually put in the mixer and the ration the cows actually eat. Making movies is the same way. You have the script, what was actually filmed and what was edited for final cut.

Let me tell you a story about a heifer named Sassafras.

At times, I felt that just being a dairy farmer wasn’t enough. It is more than enough. As a full-time dairy farmer, especially a young female in the industry, there are so many opportunities for growth and development, and being able to work alongside family with animals that help feed the world is such an amazing opportunity.