Being thankful

Season’s greetings. I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. As an avid Christmas fan and anything in relation to it, I have now started to grow a soft spot for the Thanksgiving holiday as well. Every time another year passes, I look back and become more grateful for the people and experiences that made me into the person I am today.

Growing up on the farm, it was very common to be completing chores alongside all my family on Thanksgiving Day. My mom and I would start our day early by milking cows, followed by my older and younger sisters completing calf chores and my father feeding the cows. There were even a few rare occasions when the weather would be just right, and my parents would be out in the field making cornstalk bales. However, no matter what happened, we always made time to sit down with our grandparents during the middle of the day to share a meal. Now, the meal did not include the typical turkey, cranberries or squash with marshmallows, yet it was always delicious. More importantly, it served as an opportunity to sit down, take a breath and enjoy each other’s company while reflecting on our livelihood. Many comments were shared over grandma’s gourmet cooking, like, “I am thankful that all the cows are healthy” or “I am thankful for an able body to farm.”

Now, as a college student with a married sister and a different farm dynamic, Thanksgiving looks a little different. We no longer meet over a midday meal but instead as a “true” Thanksgiving dinner gathering. Looking back, it is a bittersweet experience to change a tradition, but I am still grateful I get to spend this holiday with the things I love the most. As I mentioned, the people, animals and experiences revolving around dairy have made me into the person I am today, and it re-minds me that I have so much to be thankful for this season.

First and foremost, I am thankful for everyone in the dairy community. The past four months as Princess Kay have been a dream come true, and it could not have been possible without your support. Your dreams, dedication and legacies grant me 1,800 different success stories to share with consumers. Secondly, I am thankful for my family. Thank you for igniting my passion for dairy and helping me broaden my horizons in agriculture. Third, I am thankful for all the agriculture-based organizations that advocate on the state and national levels.

Advocacy in Action

The weekend before Thanksgiving, I personally got to extend my thanks to two important advocacy organizations in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation annual awards banquet was filled with celebration, conversations, a silent auction and puppets. During their award ceremony, I was able to converse with farmers and ranchers from across the state and share my story within agriculture. Additionally, I assisted with their give and gather auction event that raised money for student scholarships. Finally, the night ended with a show by a comedian and ventriloquist, allowing us all to share some laughs before ending the night.

The next day, I traveled down the road to the Minnesota Farmers Union annual convention. There, I helped members’ children complete a craft, making cows out of paper plates. It was amazing to see everyone’s creativity as each of them made their cow with different spots in either brown or black. They also received an ear tag so they could name their cow, just like how dairy farmers know their cows personally. After the craft was completed, I was able to share a meal with Minnesota Farmers Union members, Minnesota FFA state officers and Minnesota agriculture ambassadors. Finally, I ended the day with two radio interviews, sharing updates about my year so far as Princess Kay.

So, whether you spent your Thanksgiving holiday on the farm, with family or a mix of both, never forget how a simple meal could lead to life-changing moments. And, while I will cherish the memories and connections made over my weekend at Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation and Minnesota Farmers Union, I’m reminded that gratitude, whether found in a busy convention hall or a quiet family meal, will always be at the heart of Thanksgiving and the holiday season.

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.