It is always ice cream weather

June kept me on my toes, and while July is a little bit slower, it’s also National Ice Cream month so there are plenty of reasons to celebrate. I have put on approximately 3,100 miles traveling to many events over the past month, and I’m excited to share about it.
I attended the following breakfast on the farm county events: Sibley, Clay, Wright/Carver, Steele, Goodhue and Kanabec/Isanti. I saw unique farms, met more county princesses and handed out dairy goodies to those in attendance. One of the most memorable moments was doing introductions at the Kanabec/Isanti County breakfast, where I sat in a pickup to deliver my introduction.
I also attended the dairy events hosted by McLeod, Crow Wing and Faribault counties and KNUJ Radio. Activities ranged from cow milking contests, custard eating, cattle judging and more. I got in on the festivities while handing out lots of promotional items. This was a fun and unique way to enjoy learning about dairy in a different environment other than a breakfast event.
I also attended Taste of the Farm, which was put on by the Waseca County Farm Bureau and hosted at Farmamerica. There were tours of the farm, which included farms from multiple eras. The tours showed how agriculture has changed from so long ago. At this event, I visited with those in attendance, handed out lots of coloring books and cow hats, and went along the tour route to experience it for myself.
I spent time at Cub Foods in Minneapolis this month as well. The newly renovated store was hosting an appreciation day with ice cream sundaes. Joined by the Midwest Dairy ambassadors, we passed out promotional items, ice cream and visited with those coming through to do their shopping.
I also traveled to Curdfest hosted by Redhead Creamery. This event happens at the site of the farm and creamery, with many vendors, calf encounters and of course cheese. I participated in the celebrity milking contest and placed second behind one of the farm owners. There was so much to see and do on the farm and some wonderful food to enjoy.
I made a stop in Inver Grove Heights to visit with those at a senior residence. After passing out root beer floats, I spent time taking lots of pictures and visiting with those in attendance. One of the employees even dressed up as Daisy the cow to add a little extra fun to the day.
I was also at the Norman County Fair on kid’s day. I was stationed in the agriculture education building with Dolly the cow, Kevin the calf and the 1950s style kitchen. Along with cow milking, I spoke with, and handed out cow hats to those who visited the building.
I also visited the Hastings Creamery Dairy Store as part of their grand opening. I was in the store handing out samples of milk, cow hats and visiting with everyone who came through the store. Complete with milk, cheese, yogurt and all other goodies you could need, this store truly had it all.
I spent time on Zoom with 4-H members from across the state. I gave a presentation on my role, took them through a virtual tour of a robotic dairy farm, and we even tried out a fun dairy recipe too.
I rounded out the month of June with a summer day care group, where I was able to share a book and a little bit about dairy farms in Minnesota. It was a great end to the month, and the kids were so excited to learn about dairy farming and meet a princess.
This past month has been hectic to say the least, but I’m excited to spend some time sharing ice cream with my family and helping in our fields this month. Take time to sit back and enjoy the nice weather and your favorite pint of ice cream very soon. You won’t regret it.
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.