The true value of curiosity

This past month brought hope of springtime in the air and many exciting events, from school visits to celebrating National Agriculture Day. Between events, I was excited to find multiple days to head home from school and help back in the barn. As a college student, balancing a busy schedule can get challenging, but there is something so rewarding about sharing this experience with those around me and taking a break for the cows here and there.

I kicked off the month at The Academy for Sciences and Agriculture High School for their first annual “Ag in Minnesota” night. This event brought together commodity groups, checkoff organizations and guest speakers for a night to celebrate and learn about agriculture. Following this, I visited elementary school students at St. Francis Xavier School in Sartell, where the students were all eager to learn. Through the many school visits I have attended this year, I have found the true value in curiosity and the strength these students possess in their ability to ask questions, desire to learn something new and express vulnerability for the topics they are unfamiliar with. This skill that so many elementary students have never fails to impress me, and I always take something away from these bright, young minds.

The following week brought a unique and exciting event: the Big Little Fishing Expo. While this may seem like an unconventional event for promoting Minnesota’s dairy community, attending this expo allowed for many engaging conversations and opportunities to visit with young families. Then, March 18, I celebrated National Agriculture Day at the annual Ag Day Gala. This was a special evening to bring together farmers, youth organizations, government leaders, advocacy groups and more to recognize the positive impact agriculture has on each of our families and communities. A memorable part of the evening was giving the “milk toast,” where everyone raised a glass to the community we are all so proud to be a part of.

The end of the month provided more opportunities to connect with youth on their curiosity for what happens on a farm, highlight the “superpowers” of milk and bond over a passion for cows.

In Park Rapids, I attended Eagle View Elementary School, where students from preschool to fourth grade expressed their curiosity as we discussed everything from what cows eat to how milk travels from the farm to the store.

Second, I traveled to Hastings and took part in the Kennedy STEAM Night at Kennedy Elementary School. Here, the school hosted an evening for students to try hands-on learning activities, including using milk as “invisible ink.” Did you know milk will glow under a UV light due to the riboflavin present? The students were excited to try this experiment and were blown away by the fun facts about milk.

Third and finally, I attended the Minnesota Junior All-Breeds Convention hosted by the Minnesota Junior Holstein Association. This was an extra-special event for me as I have spent many years at this very convention as a participant among fellow dairy enthusiasts. We all know the dairy community is ever-changing, and together, we are hopeful for the future. Well, if there was even a bit of doubt in your mind, after visiting this group of young dairy leaders, I have never been surer of the bright future ahead. These youth were eager to talk about cows, tell me about their farms and learn about the best ways they can share their story.

After each of these events, I am even more energized and overjoyed to continue promoting the community I am so proud to be a part of. Throughout the months ahead, I am looking forward to the many curious questions, engaging conversations and inspiring events that lie ahead.

Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Rachel Visser, serves as the Minnesota dairy community’s goodwill ambassador. Rachel grew up in Hutchinson, Minnesota working on a neighboring dairy farm. She attends the University of Minnesota double majoring in Agricultural Food and Business Management and Agricultural Communications and Marketing. Her favorite dairy food is cheese sticks. Her parents are Barry and Shannon Visser. 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.