3,200 miles of dairy fun

Malorie Thorson, 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way

Matt Addington/Midwest Dairy

Wow, what an amazing National Dairy Month it has been. I can confidently say you were all prepared, and it showed. It was an honor to witness how dairy does more by creating opportunities for your local communities to celebrate alongside you.

Thank you for all the hard work, organizing and volunteering that comes when you open your doors for dairy activities, and now that June is officially over, I hope you find some time to reflect and reset as the dairy journey continues into July.

Dairy advocacy

Before June began, I remember looking at my planner, excited to attend various breakfasts on farms, at county fairs and agriculture museums, and so much more. Now, I am following my own advice by taking time to reflect and reset through writing.

In June, I traveled over 3,200 miles to 19 different events. Of those, I had eight food on the farm events, three senior care visits, two parades, two ice cream socials, two agriculture children’s museums, one county fair and one baseball game. While these events differed from each other, they all aimed to inform consumers in a family-fun way.

Food on the farm events have always been a great way to bring consumers to the farm to enjoy a good meal while also benefiting their communities. Many of these events had freewill donations that would provide dairy products to local food pantries, post-secondary scholarships towards agriculture and rescue equipment to first responders. In addition to giving back to the community, it also provided opportunities for consumers to be on a farm for the first time or return to learn more.

Some of my favorite moments while talking to attendees as they waited in the food line included asking if they learned something new. Nearly everyone would respond yes and share the fact that grew their appreciation for dairy farmers.

Just like the consumers who left with a new appreciation for farmers, I walked away from Tuff Memorial, Bethesda and Ridge View senior home visits with a greater appreciation for farmers before me. While residents asked questions about dairy farming today, it also provided an opportunity for them to share their favorite childhood memories. Their memories not only made me reflect on our farm history but also witness how our mission has always been to care for our cows, our community and our world.

Care for the community was the consistent theme to finish off National Dairy Month. Both the Grand Day and Top the Tater Parade gathered people from around the community to celebrate delicious dairy foods; from trying new cuisines to a favorite chip dip, they showcased dairy’s role in bringing people together. In the same way, First National Bank of Milaca and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture ice cream socials created excitement to beat the heat. Furthermore, this sweet treat started conversations about dairy farmers working with local businesses and how they help bring dairy from farm to table.

During my visit to Mini Sota and Farmamerica for their dairy days, I experienced how their museums provided a need for the surrounding community, a place where daycare children can play and foster their curiosity about agriculture while adults learn alongside them. At the Mini Sota Agriculture Children’s Museum, children enjoyed listening to “Tales of the Dairy Godmother” and ended the story time by milking the cow. Similarly, children loved visiting Oreo and Cupcake, the calves at Farmamerica, and getting to see where they live and what they eat.

To end the reflection theme, caring for the community, I attended the Norman County Fair and Rochester Honkers dairy night. The welcoming atmosphere of Norman County was consistent as I toured the grounds, got interviewed by the media, taught young girls that even princesses milk cows and assisted in the malt stand. Lastly, dairy night at the Honkers game completed the circle. It was the perfect combination of advocacy, dairy food and family fun. Whether we were handing out chocolate milk to players, competing in the milking contest or singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” we loved every moment.

So, as I complete my reflection, I have reset and am ready to take on July. Happy National Ice Cream Month!

Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Malorie Thorson, serves as the Minnesota dairy community’s goodwill ambassador. Malorie grew up in Waverly, Minnesota. She attends South Dakota State University majoring in Dairy Production with plans to return to her family farm as the sixth generation. Malorie loves trying out new recipes and baking, swing dancing, reading, and spending quality time with her family during early morning milking shifts. Her parents are Andrew and Colette Thorson.

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