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With harvest coming to a near close for most of us, we are looking forward to Thanksgiving as an opportunity to spend time with loved ones after an especially unique year on the farm, and to bond over some of the very products we work so hard to produce.
Take time this holiday season, and beyond to think about what you are thankful for this year. You’ll find yourself reflecting on the moments you loved in the barn, field or around the individuals who mean the very most to you. Even in difficult years, there is so much to be thankful for that we may overlook, like a safe harvest, your favorite tractor snacks or even the smallest of things like your favorite song coming on while you’re doing chores. Something I am thankful for this year is having the opportunity to help my family during harvest, even if it meant just having a hot meal ready when they came inside for the night. Over the course of this next month, or even at the table during Thanksgiving, take a moment to think about what you have been most thankful for over the year or harvest season. Sharing that moment with the people who mean the most to you is not only special for all involved but also calls for a warm slice of apple pie with a generous scoop of ice cream.
Aside from helping at home, I had a fun month of events. I kicked the month off at U.S. Bank Stadium at a Minnesota Vikings game visiting with educators and other individuals about the Fuel Up to Play 60 program. We got to know each other well established strong connections for the program going forward, and we got to celebrate a Vikings win.
Next, I headed to Little Falls to attend the LAMP Kinship Chili Cookoff where I served ice cream and milk with some of the Crow Wing County dairy ambassadors. We tasted all 13 samples of soup and chili and cast our votes for some of our favorite ones in the competition. As I got to learn more about the Kinship program that evening, it was evident how impactful a mentor can truly be on a young person’s life. For my next event, I got to break out my workout gear and spend some time with radio station KS95, the YMCA and some dedicated individuals doing some kickboxing. I had never done a workout like this before, but it was fun to learn alongside everyone and talk about the importance of refueling with dairy products after a particularly difficult workout. What was most unique about the MOO-VE IT event was that we did the workout in the main rotunda of the Mall of America. There were interested bystanders who also had the opportunity to learn about the importance of taking care of your body  with exercise and dairy products as well. Rounding out this month’s events, I traveled to the Orchard Path Nursing Home in Apple Valley to visit with residents over ice cream sundaes. With lots of questions in regards to my farm, the butter head and my role as Princess Kay of the Milky Way, we also found time to take fun pictures with dairy-related props.
As we start November, remember to take time and be thankful for the little things, whether it be piles of colorful leaves, spending time with your loved ones or bonding over a plate of turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. There is always something we can be thankful for in our everyday lives.
Princess Kay of the Milky Way Anna Euerle serves as the Minnesota dairy community’s goodwill ambassador. Princess Kay is very active doing school visits, representing dairy farmers at the Fuel Up To Play 60 activities in conjunction with the Minnesota Vikings, and sharing the importance of dairy farming and dairy foods at appearances across Minnesota.
Euerle grew up in Litchfield, Minnesota, working on her family’s dairy farm. She will soon graduate from Ridgewater College in Agribusiness with a dairy emphasis. In her free time she enjoys cooking, baking and being outdoors.

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