CARE bill could hinder our youth leasing programs

One of the most successful opportunities to get nonfarm youth excited about the dairy industry we've witnessed is leasing programs through 4-H, FFA, or breed groups. These leasing programs give youth without a farm background a chance to work with a project animal, gain experience on farms, and potentially find a career they love. You'd be surprised how many people working in the dairy industry didn't actually grow up on dairy farms, yet were introduced through a youth project.

H.R. 3564, the Children's Act for Responsible Employment (CARE), introduced by representative Lucille Roybal Allard (D-Calif.) could eliminate exemptions in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA allows nonfarm youth ages 12 to 17 to work on farms in safe conditions under certain circumstances with parental consent. CARE does not currently create an exemption for youth working with youth programs for 4-H or FFA. This means that youth could technically still lease animals and show at the county fair, but not work on your farm in exchange for the lease or in preparation of the local fair.

The goal of the original bill was to prevent the common employment of children of migrant workers. However, our industry may suffer a loss of future leaders if nonfarm youth are legally not allowed to work with us on our farms.

Back to the farm

We're hearing about more and more young adults heading back to the farm. No doubt dairy's economic woes in recent years were on their mind. However, there is just something about working with cows and family every day and seeing the family farm continue its legacy. Recently, we visited with Aubrey Lettinga of Walnutdale Farms in Michigan about her choice to return to her family's farm shortly after graduation from Michigan State.

Bonnie's Brush with Hoard's has a new video today. This time, we're continuing our visit with former magazine Art Director James Baird. Today he'll share with us more about the cows in his original artwork.

National Ag Day Essay Winner!

The 37th annual National Ag Day was held throughout the country on March 20 to celebrate the importance of agriculture in our country. As part of the celebration, seventh through twelfth grade students across the country were encouraged to write a 450-word essay based on this year's topic: American Agriculture — Abundant, Affordable, Amazing. The Agriculture Council of America coordinates the contest and recently announced state winners in addition to one national winner. That lucky student is Christine Vanek, a high school senior from Ann Arbor, Mich. Vanek was awarded during an Ag Day event held in Washington, D.C. At the event, she read her essay to industry representatives, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, media and others. Below is her essay:

As we drive west with the setting sun through the last miles of Iowa, I stare out my window in awe. The fields stretch uninterrupted to the horizon, and the sky is a beautiful abundance of fading blue. I know that I am almost home.

Although my family lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, our roots are anchored deep in the Nebraska soil. My appreciation for the importance of American agriculture comes from my experience out at my grandparents' farm. I remember as a small child riding in the tractor with my grandpa as he disked a field in preparation for planting, folding the old corn stalks from last year's crop into the dirt. I remember going along with him one fall in the combine, fascinated at the machine's ability to get the ears off the stalk and the corn off the ears, shooting the kernels into the storage space and spitting out the unusable remainder.

At the age of seven, my mind could not grasp the abundance that is American agriculture. I could not comprehend the space of even one field, which itself was granted my awe. At seventeen, I have come to admire the work that my grandfather and all American farmers do. It is thanks to the abundance of American agriculture -- from the corn, soybean, and wheat fields of the Great Plains to the expansive fruit orchards in the South -- that I, along with the rest of the country, have access to a wide variety of affordable, safe, nutritious foods.

I am thankful as well for the affordability of agriculture in America. My ancestors came to America less than two hundred years ago to escape forced service in the Czechoslovakian army. They did not have a large amount of wealth, but due to the affordability of American agriculture, they were able to build a small house and begin their own modest farm. Living frugally and working the land with dedication, they built up a life and livelihood for themselves in America.

I am a product of American agriculture, and I can testify to its greatness. This spring, I was walking to the pivot in the field on my grandparents' farm, when I stopped to tie my shoe. As I stood back up, I looked at the scene around me, taking it in in a way I hadn't while I was walking. I have experienced no more perfect a moment in my life than standing there with the sun warming my back, looking out at that vast, intensely blue sky with the deep green corn plants stretching for miles beneath it.

Don't forget to stop over at Bonnie's Brush with Hoard's to hear from Bonnie on how the Foster Mothers of the Human Race Painting is coming!

We believe in the future of agriculture — Happy National FFA Week

Saturday began a week-long celebration for the nation's largest youth-led organization. National FFA Week lasts through Saturday. The organization boasts a membership of over a half-million students in 7,429 chapters across the United States.

At the organization's 3rd National Convention, a creed written by E.M. Tiffany was adopted. An updated version was adopted at their 38th and 63rd convention. Some of you who participated in the organization's Creed Speaking competition may be able to recite the entire creed still today. For those of you who can't, we'd encourage you to read it below; it is inspiring how much of it still rings true today.

I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds — achievements won by the present and past generations of agriculturists; in the promise of better days through better ways, even as the better things we now enjoy have come to us from the struggles of former years.

I believe that to live and work on a good farm, or to be engaged in other agricultural pursuits, is pleasant as well as challenging; for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life and hold an inborn fondness for those associations which, even in hours of discouragement, I cannot deny.

I believe in leadership from ourselves and respect from others. I believe in my own ability to work efficiently and think clearly, with such knowledge and skill as I can secure, and in the ability of progressive agriculturists to serve our own and the public interest in producing and marketing the product of our toil.

I believe in less dependence on begging and more power in bargaining; in the life abundant and enough honest wealth to help make it so — for others, as well as myself; in less need for charity and more of it when needed; in being happy myself and playing square with those whose happiness depends upon me.

I believe that American agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life and that I can exert an influence in my home and community which will stand solid for my part in that inspiring task.

After rough years like 2009 it is good to get a reminder that agriculture is challenging, but it is rewarding. E.M. Tiffany clearly knew the importance of being a skilled business man, the importance of perseverance, and our "inborn" passion for what we do. Happy National FFA Week to all 506,199 members— we are proud to call you our future.

When Mom and Dad don’t have a farm to give you

You wouldn’t be surprised to hear that farmers are a growing minority. You also wouldn’t be surprised to hear of a youngster interested in farming, but just doesn’t think it's possible with today’s land prices, interest rates, and economic climate. But we’ve come across some excellent success stories the past few months. While attending a conference this summer, we met Laura Daniels, a young dairy producer from Wisconsin. She started farming along with her husband from scratch and is proud to say that it is possible, when others don’t think it is.

At the same time, we meet dairy producers regularly who do not have children interested in farming to pass the torch to. These farms often sell their animals to another herd and the farm lies vacant. The land might even be sold, later to become a Wisteria Lane-like new subdivision.

We’ve heard of programs like Iowa State’s beginning farmer program. The program matches retiring farmers with those interested in starting farming. Their website lists well over 20 farms in Iowa and the Midwest that are looking for new partners to continue the farm. There aren’t many dairy farms on the list, but many of them look like they could be good opportunities for someone with the farming bug. We’ve also found a lot of starting farmer grants and loans from those in the Ag Credit System and the Farm Service Agency. Maybe it is more possible than you think.

What are other good resources for starting farmers? Do you know of many farmers who have started from scratch?

Support the Challenge

The National Dairy Challenge was started in 2000 as practical on-farm learning experience for dairy science college seniors. It was so successful in 2000 and 2001 that it went national in 2002. We think it’s a great, practical way for dairy students to gain on-farm problem-solving experience. Haven’t heard of it before? Watch the video below to learn more. To find out even more or to support the event, visit their website.

Teaming up to support Action for Healthy Kids

Dairy industry sponsors of the Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) program proudly present a check from Hoard's Dairyman during the 2008 World Dairy Expo. Hoard's raises money for AFHK through advertising from dairy industry sponsors and then matches their contributions. Dairy producers, through their investment in the National Dairy Council (NDC), the nutrition research and education arm of the dairy check-off, are working to introduce kids to the benefits and joys of exercise and nutritious foods, including dairy. By emphasizing the need for better nutrition and physical activity in our nation's schools, dairy producers are being part of the effort to fight childhood obesity and help America's youth reach their full potential.


Included in the photo from left to right are (front row) Paula Meabon, dairy producer: Erie County, Pennsylvania, vice chair of the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board; Iris Neale, Fort Dodge Animal Health; Gary Vorpahl, Hoard's Dairyman; Brian Sturgeon, ImmuCell; Terri Smith, Select Sires, (back row) Taylor W. Weisensel, Ag-Bag Products; Jack Kolo, The Coburn Company; Brad Zumbach, Novartis Animal Health; Ben Church, Pfizer Animal Health.

Junior breed groups inspire youth

Our average reader now milks 161 cows, up nearly 25 percent from a decade ago. Despite growing herd sizes, it takes the same time-tested recipe to inspire a young person to get excited and pursue a career in the dairy industry. Just like generations before, the recipe includes an encouraging spark to ignite a young person's curiosity . . . be it a project calf, dairy bowl contest, a trip, or other contest. Providing the spark for all these events is the dedicated dairy leader. Those dedicated leaders were out in full force encouraging the next dairy generation at the annual Wisconsin Junior Holstein Convention held in Middleton, Wis.

From January 2 to 4, 340 juniors and 153 adults converged for a weekend packed with dairy skill competitions. In all, 29 Junior and 25 Senior four-person dairy bowl teams representing 216 juniors tested their dairy knowledge as some 50 volunteers partnered to put on the competitions. Youngsters had a variety of reasons to compete, ranging from spending time with like-minded dairy friends, bolstering their dairy IQ, and ultimately competing for the right to represent their state at the upcoming National Holstein Convention. In addition to the dairy bowl competition, 62 youth competed in the Dairy Jeopardy contest modeled after the popular TV version. Others competed in speaking, photography, advertising, and a variety of record-book contests. Juniors also were able to attend cattle photography (shown above) and advertising workshops (shown below) lead by personnel from Agri-Graphics and the Cattle Connection.

The capstone for the weekend activities took place Saturday night as some 32 Green County hosts led by Lisa Behnke and Trish Hoesley put the finishing touches on the banquet for over 425 Holstein enthusiasts. The evening celebrated all that was good about our industry. Young people were honored for outstanding project work. There was $10,000 in scholarships awarded to support future studies. And adult leaders drew internal satisfaction as they witnessed the countless smiles from young people who are blossoming into future dairy leaders.

To all those who inspire our next generation, thank you; keep up the great work.