September 5, 2017 at 3:32 p.m.
Kids Corner: The Helgets
Rick and Becky Helget have seven children. Pictured front, from left: Dominic; Ethan; Rick, Becky and Josie. Back row, from left: Molly; Megan; Emily; and Anthony. Not pictured: Elise, 18, who is studying to be a physical therapy assistant at Lake Area Tech in Watertown, S.D. The Helgets milk 65 Holstein cows on their organic dairy in Watonwan County near St. James, Minn. All the children attend St. Mary’s Catholic School in Sleepy Eye, Minn.<br /><!-- 1upcrlf -->PHOTO BY RUTH KLOSSNER
Junior
When do you do chores? I do chores periodically during the week and weekend.
What's your favorite chore and least favorite chore? I like to drive tractor and mow lawn and my least favorite chore is working around the cows.
What's your favorite animal on your farm? I like cats and our dog, Ace.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Maybe a dietician or a nurse.
If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. It would have a few cats, one dog, and maybe some bunnies. I would also like a granary with some chickens and a large machine shed with a gator.
What do you like about fall? I like harvest the best because you can see your hard work pay off. I also enjoy the cooler weather.
What is the best thing about growing up on a farm? The best part about living on a farm is always keeping busy with something to do.
What's your favorite dairy treat? I really like cheese.
Megan Helget, 15
Sophomore
When do you do chores? I do chores on the weekdays and weekends when it is my turn and when I am needed.
What's your favorite chore and least favorite chore? I don't really have a favorite chore but I enjoy being in the kitchen the most, cooking for my dad, brothers, grandpa, and the helpers. My least favorite chore is feeding calves because they spill their milk all over me.
What's your favorite animal on your farm? My favorite animal was my cow, MaryAnn, who died a couple years ago. She was always friendly, she gave a lot of milk, and she was gentle.
What do you want to be when you grow up? I am not fully decided but I am thinking a teacher or something involving working with children.
If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. If I had my own farm I would have a large organic garden with lots of fruits and vegetables, a dog, a couple chickens, and maybe a cow for fresh, whole milk.
What do you like about fall? I like the farm during the fall because I like the smell of the corn drying and the harvest.
What is the best thing about growing up on a farm? The best thing about growing up on the farm is having the yard space, because we have room for a large garden and a trampoline.
What's your favorite dairy treat? I have a lot of favorite dairy treats but my all-time favorite is probably a strawberry shake.
Dominic Helget, 13
7th grade
When do you do chores? I milk cows at night and sometimes in the morning.
What's your favorite chore and least favorite chore? I don't have a least favorite chore. My favorite jobs are milking cows, cutting hay, raking hay, hauling bales, and field work.
What's your favorite animal on your farm? I like them all.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A farmer.
If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. My farm would look just like the one we have.
What do you like about fall? I like the harvest.
What is the best thing about growing up on a farm? It's a good experience and there's lots of room to do stuff.
What's your favorite dairy treat? Yogurt and ice cream.
Anthony Helget, 10
5th grade
When do you do chores? In the evening, I feed calves, take cows out and feed chickens.
What's your favorite chore and least favorite chore? My favorite job is feeding cows because I like to run the equipment. My least favorite job is getting milking equipment ready because it's boring and needs to be done every day.
What's your favorite animal on your farm? My ducks, because they add character.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A farmer.
If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. It would look like ours.
What do you like about fall? The harvest.
What is the best thing about growing up on a farm? I get to drive tractor.
What's your favorite dairy treat? Strawberry ice cream.
Emily Helget, 8
3rd grade
When do you do chores? I feed chickens, feed calves and help milk in the evenings.
What's your favorite chore and least favorite chore? My favorite job is milking with Dad and seeing how much milk is in the tank when we're done. My least favorite job is collecting the eggs, because I don't like washing them.
What's your favorite animal on your farm? My favorite animal is our cat, Survivor; she is the only one alive from the bunch she was born with. She also can jump about three feet high.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A hair stylist.
If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. It would have a big yard and lots of trees,with some cats, chickens, a dog, horses, bunnies, and a few cows.
What do you like about fall? Jumping in leaf piles and getting ready for the holidays.
What is the best thing about growing up on a farm? Sometimes there's peace and quiet and not much traffic.
What's your favorite dairy treat? Strawberry ice cream.
Josie Helget, 6
Kindergarten
When do you do chores? I help feed pellets to calves and feed bottles of milk to calves during evening chores.
What's your favorite chore and least favorite chore? My favorite job is turning on the bulk tank because I like to flip the switch. My least favorite is picking the eggs because the chickens get too crazy.
What's your favorite animal on your farm? Cats, especially the kittens because they are small and cute.
What do you want to be when you grow up? An ice cream maker.
If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. It would have three horses, six cats, and one cow.
What do you like about fall? Carving pumpkins and roasting the seeds.
What is the best thing about growing up on a farm? It's quiet and I can ride my bike in the yard.
What's your favorite dairy treat? Cookies & cream ice cream.
Ethan Helget, 2
When do you do chores? I ride along on the Gator and help feed calves.
What's your favorite chore and least favorite chore? My favorite job is feeding the kitties milk because they like it so much. My least favorite chore is having to come in from playing outside.
What's your favorite animal on your farm? The chickens. I like to pick grass for them and feed them peelings or watermelon rinds
What do you want to be when you grow up? A farmer.
If you had a farm, describe what it would look like. It would have some calves, kitties, a dog, and some chickens.
What do you like about fall? I get tractor and combine rides.
What is the best thing about growing up on a farm? I get to be outside a lot and get rides.
What's your favorite dairy treat? String cheese.[[In-content Ad]]
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