State fair firsts

Dairy farming is full of firsts. This week, one of our just-weaned Holstein calves pulled her calf starter pail out the pail holder in her hutch, reached her head into the now-vacant hole, and got her head stuck. It took a bit of maneuvering to get her out. Thankfully, the incident happened between morning chores and evening chores, so I don’t think she was stuck for long. These first-time-for-everything moments – even the ones that make us shake our heads – keep life interesting.

The Minnesota State Fair this year was also full of firsts for us, all of which made for an enjoyable and rewarding state fair experience.

For the first time in six years of chaperoning our county’s 4-H livestock encampment exhibitors, we got to stay in the dorms above the cattle barn. Every other year we’ve been housed in either the 4-H Building or Bailey Hall on the University of Minnesota campus. I understand now why there’s a waiting list for the cattle barn dorms. Staying there saved all of us thousands of steps, gave us precious extra minutes of sleep each night, and made it much easier for kids to get naps in. By the end of the fair, our 4-Hers – and chaperones – seemed far less exhausted than other years.

For Dan, this was his first time competing in the dairy farm case study project. Instead of the dairy workshops and quizzes that younger 4-H students participate in, dairy exhibitors in 12th and 13th grades are organized into small groups, provided with information about a fictitious dairy farm, and tasked with providing recommendations to help the farm overcome its challenges and reach its stated goals. Once they’ve finalized their recommendations, they create a slide deck and present their plan to a set of judges.

Dan came back from the case study beaming with excitement. He said it was one of the most rewarding activities he’s ever been part of at the state fair. He enjoyed working with his fellow 4-H students to analyze the farm’s Dairy Herd Improvement Association records and other data, identify potential solutions and decide on a plan. It definitely piqued his interest in joining the university’s Dairy Challenge team. Hats off to the Minnesota 4-H and Extension staff who coordinate the case study.

Monika’s new experience this year was volunteering in the Moo Booth. The Moo Booth is an interactive exhibit in the dairy barn, created to provide fairgoers with more information about dairy cattle and dairy farming. Monika sincerely enjoys teaching people about dairy farming and was looking for an opportunity to do so at the state fair. I recommended the Moo Booth; I worked at the Moo Booth for several state fairs when I was in college and count it among my most rewarding experiences.

When Monika called after her first shift in the booth, she was overjoyed. She had been stationed at the parlor viewing window in the Moo Booth, answering fairgoers’ questions about dairy cows and the milking process. “Mom, it’s even more fun than I thought it would be,” she said. A couple days later, one of my Moo Booth friends who still works there every year sent me a picture of Monika talking to fairgoers with the caption, “Monika in her happy place.” Thank you to the Moo Booth staff for making Monika feel as welcome and valued as you made me feel all those years ago.

For Daphne, the entire 4-H livestock encampment was a new experience. She’s taken day trips to the state fair for several years now to watch Dan and Monika show, but this was her first year as an exhibitor. She showed her Holstein fall calf, Zeal, and came out of the show ring with both a smile and the ribbon she had hoped for.

This was also Daphne’s first time competing in the state dairy judging contest and her first time participating in the dairy interview. She really enjoyed the interview and the new dairy friends she made. Overall, I think having five days to spend with her dairy friends was the best part of her state fair experience. When it came time to leave the dairy barn that last day, we couldn’t find Daphne. We found her a few rows down, playing cards and laughing with friends from another county. I love that Minnesota’s 4-H dairy kids are like one big group of friends.

As a parent, the joy you feel when your children find joy in their lives is unmatched. I’m incredibly grateful that Dan, Monika and Daphne find joy in their dairy activities and their dairy friends.

Sadie Frericks and her husband, Glen, milk 100 cows near Melrose, Minnesota. They have three children: Dan, Monika, and Daphne. Sadie also writes a blog at www.dairygoodlife.com. She can be reached at sadiefrericks@gmail.com.