Ag Proud

Food and brains: What I’ve learned about nutrition and mental health

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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 cleaning is often the reset that we all need

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Udderly unforgettable: From toy cow to prairie giant

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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.

Appreciating what we take for granted

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

It is so hard to believe that fall is over. Harvest is nearing completion or complete for most. During busy times on the farm, planting and harvest specifically, I think there are numerous tasks, gestures and even entire days that we take for granted.

Dad’s shoes

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Finding the joy in being a dairy farmer

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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 dairy farming is to me

Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

My moo-vie star cow, Toffee

Tue, 06 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Responsibility does not equal control

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 14:26:44 -0500

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

Things that I have learned in my 10 years of full-time farming as a young female in ag

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

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.

Educating the public through a unique treat

Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Are you excited for Halloween but tired of handing out the same types of candy year after year? If this seems familiar to you, I have several ideas to make this Halloween season unique and healthy.

Ag literacy and the story time with a farmer program

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

What started off as me having the desire to share my knowledge and passion of the dairy farming industry with students at my former elementary school has now grown into a nationally recognized program. Little did I know making that connection and then continuing to grow and expand upon it while incorporating more ag enthusiasts would lead to so many new connections, friendships, lessons and experiences.

On the lookout for glimmers

Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

I’ve managed to cultivate a knack for finding four-leaf clovers over the years. We have a number of clover patches all around our farm where, if you’re looking, you can find at least one four-leaf clover; my daily record so far is 22. I’ve even found a couple of six-leaf clovers while going about my day.

Surviving to thriving with a premature calf

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 07:23:06 -0500

We were determined to try our best and put in extra effort to give this calf the best chance of survival possible. Although every farm might have their own premature calf protocol, I will share ours that successfully worked.

In my farm mom era

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:42:00 -0400

Needless to say, my farm mom era isn’t exactly looking like I thought it would. Almost a year and a half later, with the exception of a few milkings being worn in a baby carrier or sleeping in a laundry basket as a cherubic newborn – those visions and dreamed-out-loud plans have not come to fruition.

Building a future workforce: Excite, educate and encourage

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

I’m grateful for my life in agriculture and can’t imagine a career not connected to this industry. But I’ve come to realize the journey for others into today’s agriculture industry is much more diverse than the fairytale story that I’ve experienced.

Is social media the new blogging?

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Over the years, blogging went from a way to share one’s feelings in a digital, public diary to a business tool for building brand awareness and selling products.

Key products that our farm utilizes and that we truly value

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 16:19:26 -0400

As humans, I think it is just part of our nature that we tend to go for the same brand or same type of product time and time again. Often, we are hesitant to try something new or don’t see the need to, since what we are currently using is serving its purpose for us.

Add these shows to your must-watch list

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 11:40:57 -0400

You know, I’ve never been a big YouTube kind of girl. Which may sound like a terrible start to a blog about ag-related YouTube and TV shows and other video content, but it’s a journey you can join me on.

Have you heard? Podcasts are (still) in!

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 12:46:57 -0400

Podcasts have been steadily growing in popularity over the last few years – and they’ve been growing in options too, especially in the dairy and agriculture communities.

Basketball, brothers and the joy of simple activities

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 09:34:46 -0500

When we think of March Madness, many people think of basketball. The high school and college basketball seasons have reached their peak as state and national tournaments are taking place.

Keeping up with the news: How?

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 08:31:25 -0500

Want to hear a funny joke? Keeping up with the news. In all seriousness, an overwhelming amount of information is available to the point where it can be hard to decide to start.

Home sweet farm home

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 17:27:52 -0500

There are a lot of memories and nostalgia surrounding a farmhouse, since for generations your family gathered there. Our house is 145 years old, and my kids are the seventh generation in our family to live in it. My great-grandma was born in it, my great-aunt got married in it, my parents improved it, and now it houses three teenage boys who jump to hit every doorframe each time they go through a door.

Dairy activity systems and how they can benefit your herd

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:11:01 -0500

The farm I am employed by had tossed around the idea of collars for a couple of years, but never really investigated enough to make the push to purchase a certain system type until the past six months.

Changing culture and retaining employees during difficult times

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 11:47:07 -0400

It recently came to my attention that employee retention is an issue in most businesses today, and we are an outlier in this area. Sourcing employees and employee retention is a common question we receive during tours and community presentations.

Dairy Book Club: Are all professional development books the same?

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 06:20:12 -0400

Over the past two years, I’ve brought you along on my book reading journey. I’ve covered a lot of ground since January 2021. In fact, I’ve read so many books I had a realization … are all professional development books the same?

Sharing your story might just be the inspiration someone needs

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

As a young female farmer in her late 20s with a bachelor's degree in biology, public speaking seems like it is just part of who I am. Growing up in the era that I did, and as a student in the science field, it seemed as if multiple times throughout the year, I was speaking in one of my classes or giving a talk on a science project.

Producer Blog: Navel infections in calves, and prevention and treatment

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 17:26:00 -0400

On average, it seems that most newborn dairy calves weigh in the 70- to 80-pound range, with breed and the dam’s size and age playing a role.

Producer Blog: The Dairy Book Club: Sacred Cow

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 10:23:37 -0400

Have you ever heard of a book or movie with Sacred Cow in the title? When you hear that, what do you think? Personally, I had heard of this a few times but never looked into it – and for a while ignored it. I even had a secret suspicion it would wind up as an anti-ag or anti-meat book.

Life on the family farm under an open heaven: A helping hand

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 21:13:20 -0400

We can all use a helping hand from time to time, especially if you’re a farmer. Things come up where you really need another person’s help. It’s nice when you have good friends you can call on in such situations.