Advocacy in action

Happy fall, y’all. While the temperatures in the Midwest have been anything but fall, I know the busy season is upon us. Through the craziness of back to school, we also have harvest. Depending on where you are located in the lovely state of Minnesota, haylage crops are wrapped up with corn silage following suit.

To say it has been a busy September is an understatement when it comes to dairy farming. Every year, when I look back on this month, I am amazed by what we accomplished as a community. With good weather and helping hands, we all cross the finish line of providing our animals with food for the next year.

That accomplishment in and of itself has served as a place of reflection as I spend my time at college.

As one does, I have had many conversations with my parents during these past few weeks over the phone. During those conversations, they were either working on the farm or with the custom harvesting company we partner with. They were busy, but in a good way. My parents and younger sibling understand the importance of this season to fellow dairy farmers and found a way to help. In the same way, the rest of the dairy community is also reaching out to help, each in unique ways. The dairy farming dedication is demonstrated towards our land, animals and the community we all call home.

One of the strongest testaments to this statement is when the time comes to cover the corn silage pile. Some of my fondest memories growing up on the farm were throwing tires alongside my family, neighbors and friends. It was not out of the ordinary for me to invite my friends from school to experience “country life” as I called it. While I could never promise them they would walk away with clean clothes, I did promisethey would laugh, make memories and get free pizza.

Now, as I walk to class and live away from the farm, I miss those moments, the moment when you can “cover” one part of the harvest and start preparing for another, because gathering around a corn silage pile is our version of gathering around a table, where we all come together and see the fruits of our labor.

Advocacy in action: a grand slam

Besides throwing tires, watching sports was another way I spent time with my family, particularly Sunday night football. However, as an avid fan of all sports, I was really excited to attend a St. Paul Saints game as Princess Kay.

It was an incredible opportunity to connect with the sports fan demographic over a shared love for baseball. While walking around the stadium, I got to talk to multiple different consumers about my background and love for the dairy community. Like the Minnesota State Fair, there were many questions asked, but these questions led to longer conversations. There was no rush or quick interaction but an opportunity to provide more details that led to more follow-up questions.

The KFAN radio interview at the Saints game reflected the same characteristics. After sharing my future goals, the interviewer asked me, “What goes into the transitioning of dairy farms from one generation to the next?” At that moment, I was honest; I was not entirely sure, but I will be ready when that time comes. Now, as I continue to reflect on this same question, I am gaining more appreciation for the generations before.

A transition is more than just a season. It is a lifelong commitment for the future. The decision that may not be in writing, but it comes to life when we gather around a table or a covered corn silage pile.

So, happy fall, y’all. I wish you all a bountiful and safe harvest from my family to yours.

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