Happy moo year

Happy New Year, everyone.

As we look back on 2023, let’s remember all of the amazing things that happened and look toward future opportunities.

My year with all of you started in August, and so far, my adventures have included visiting dairy farms and schools. I’ve been in parades and visited with leaders in the agriculture community. Last month, I had two events that helped put myself and the local communities in the holiday spirit. I am excited to reflect on last month as Princess Kay and look toward my goals for the rest of the year.

My first event in December was Santa on the Farm at Bremer Farms in Hastings, Minnesota. I was excited to do this event because 69th Princess Kay of the Milky Way Rachel Rynda spoke highly of the event and how much fun it was. She had so much fun that she joined us again this year. It was nice to have her there. She made sure to take lots of great pictures and checked in with me here and there to make sure I didn’t need help.

Santa on the Farm is a drive-thru light show. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were in attendance, and there was also an elf that popped down from the North Pole to help. Every car received recipes and informational resources on the dairy community. Each child in the car got a bag filled with Undeniably Dairy goodies, like coloring books, fidget spinners and crayons. Santa and Mrs. Claus gifted each child a stuffed cow also. At the last stop, there was milk and cookies for every person in the car. Not only did this event help the community get into the Christmas spirit, but it also served as some of the visitors’ first time on a dairy farm. It was the perfect balance between informational and fun. There were posters with facts posted on all the barns, and I, along with a calf, greeted everyone so that I was able to talk with the visitors and answer any questions they had. It was a well-done event that was rounded off with a cozy cup of hot chocolate with the snow falling out-side.

The second event was a live Nativity at the Ahlgren family’s dairy farm near Darwin, Minnesota. It was fun to see all of the volunteers who were at the event. They were dressed up to look like they were right out of the Bible story. From children to adults, everyone came out to celebrate. On their way out, the visitors would walk through the freestall barn with robotic milkers. It was a creative way to celebrate the Christmas season while also showing what modern dairy farming can look like. I was joined by several dairy princesses and dairy ambassadors from Meeker County. I enjoyed meeting these girls and talking with them about how they are able to share their dairy story. We were stationed in the freestall barn where we handed out dairy recipes, coloring books, fidget spinners, sunglasses, cow hats and lots of other Undeniably Dairy goodies.

Both events were great examples of how we can share about the dairy industry in many different ways. In a season where we can get so busy trying to prepare for the holidays, it’s also a time where we should slow down and enjoy coming together to celebrate. As we begin the year, I am going to carry this spirit of slowing down and enjoying the simple things around me and sharing my life as a dairy farmer in my everyday activities. I hope you can do the same.

Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Emma Kuball, serves as the Minnesota dairy community’s goodwill ambassador. Kuball grew up in Waterville, Minnesota, working on her family’s sixth-generation dairy farm. She attends the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, studying agriculture education, and looks forward to becoming an FFA advisor. She enjoys reading, crocheting and baking. Her parents are Nate and Shannon Kuball.

Princess Kay is active doing school visits, representing dairy farmers and sharing the importance of dairy farming and dairy foods at appearances across Minnesota.