We Are Indiana Agriculture: Farming is More Than All Right at All Wright Farms

By Sarah Mahan of This Farm Family's Life

It is hard for Alan Wright of All Wright Farms to put into words the love he has for his family and the wonderful feeling he gets when he works with the animals on their dairy farm.  Alan farms along with his mom, JoAnn, and father, Dan, as well as three of his brothers, Mark, Lon and Vince, in Delaware County.  He also has two other brothers and a sister who choose to work away from the farm. 

“Our farm has been in the family for a very long, long time,” Alan explains.  “We have been farming and milking at our present place since 1933.  Before that we farmed across the road where my parents live now.  We have been milking cows on this farm for over 29,300 days!  That’s twice a day every day!”

The Wrights milk around 180 cows, and they have an additional 15 to 20 dry cows.  Dry cows are cows that are about 8 weeks from calving.  The family farm hasn’t purchased any cows or calves since 1950!  “We raise all our heifers and they come back to be milked in our dairy herd when they calve at 24 months.  We feed out the majority of our bull calves as steers.  We also raise a few dairy goats for 4-H projects for our nieces and nephews.  These are for stress relief.  We enjoy being around them, “Alan says.

The farm is also made up of 1200 acres of soybeans, 1200 acres of corn, 125 acres of winter wheat and 250 acres of alfalfa hay.  “600 acres of the corn we produce is used to feed the cows.  All the hay is for the cattle, and the straw from the wheat harvest is used as bedding for the cows and calves.  We try not to buy any more feed than we have to.  We try to raise it.”

The milk from All Wright Farms is currently processed at either Dannon Yogurt in Minster, Ohio or Nestle in Anderson, Indiana.  The price of the milk stays the same.  Alan explains, “We are paid the same no matter where it goes.  The co-op calls the milk hauler who picks it up at our farm and tells him where to deliver the milk that day or week.  We don’t have any say about the matter.  They market it and find a buyer for our milk.”

Alan also sits on the board for the American Dairy Association of Indiana (ADAI).  “I was asked a few years ago to represent our milk cooperative (the co-op that buys and markets our milk) on the board of directors.  There are 18 board members from different co-ops who sit on the board.  Our job is to make sure the milk in Indiana is promoted in a way that maximum marketing opportunities exist.  We want the moms and dads to get their children doing ‘dairy!’  Each board member must be a dairy farmer producing milk in Indiana.”

Last month Alan represented all the dairy farmers in Indiana when he served as Rookie Milkman during the Indy 500.  Each year, during the greatest spectacle in racing, two board members from ADAI serve as the milkman and rookie each year.  “As the rookie, I got to hand a bottle of ice-cold milk to the winning car owner, Michael Andretti, and the winning crew chief in Victory Lane after the race.  It was a great thrill and humbling experience to represent not only the 1200 dairy farms in Indiana, but also dairy farms throughout the nation as the Rookie Milkman. 

“One of my favorite moments of the event was the chance to ride on the American Dairy Association of Indiana float in the 500 Festival Parade.   Ken Hoeing, who was the Milkman, and I got to wave and hold a bottle of milk for about 300,000 people to see.  It was so fun promoting the one thing that we both lovemilk!  Ken was such a great mentor for me.  He was always there to help get me through interviews and let me know what to expect along the way.  Next year, I will move up to serve as Milkman, and I will get to give the winning driver a bottle of ice-cold milk in Victory Lane.  Another board member will be chosen to be the Rookie.  I hope I can be half as good to the Rookie Milkman next year as Ken was to me,” Al says.

When asked what he wished the general public better understood about dairy farming, Alan said, “I wish they understood how much time and energy we put into keeping our cows and calves healthy and happy.  Each day we spend more time with them than we do our family.  That is why family is so important to me.  My kids still enjoy helping with milking and feeding.  You don’t get up in the middle of the night, 7 days a week to do the morning milking unless you love your animals.  It is not an 8 AM to 3 PM job, but rather a 3 AM to 8 PM job.  Once the love of dairy farming is in your heart, it remains there no matter what happens.  A retired dairy farmer (if there is such a thing) will always be a dairy farmer.”

Follow All Wright Farms on twitter: @AllWrightFarms

A Dairy Good Way to Start Your Day

By Sarah Correll

Did you know that diets that provide 3 servings of dairy a day can actually increase bone mass? Or that dairy product provide potassium, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure? How about that regularly eating three servings a day of dairy is associated with reduced risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes? Get a jumpstart on your health with this dairy breakfast inspiration!

Oatmeal Cottage Cheese Pancakes

A sneaky way to include dairy in your diet.

Greek Breakfast Pockets

Feta, spinach, mushrooms, and sausage combine in a non-traditional breakfast treat.

Peaches and Cream French Toast from Two Maids a Milking

On the sweeter side of life.

If all else fails, grab a yogurt cup, cereal with milk, or a simple glass of milk on your way out the door.

We Dare(y) You To Check This Out

By Sarah Correll

Ever wondered where your milk comes from? Do you know how cows are raised? Who cares for dairy cattle, and what are their farms like? Which dairy recipes are the farmers’ favorites? The American Dairy Association of Indiana has featured a dairy a day for the entire month of June. Check out some highlights below or click here to see all 30!

 Crosby Dairy Farm

Greensburg, Indiana

Talk about a legacy, the Crosby family has been milking cows for nearly 100 years! The also raise their own feed and run a veterinary business. Busy folks!

 Oneeda Farms

Syracuse, Indiana

The Hibschman family has a great ice cream recipe and quality cattle! Their pedigreed cattle have won top prizes, and the family is dedicated to their cows!

Mayhill Holsteins

Fountain City, Indiana

The 2013 Indianapolis 500 Milkman calls this farm his home. Duane is committed to helping youth- his children showed cattle, and now he judges shows that help young people develop responsibility and a passion for agriculture!

Knollbrook Farm

Goshen, Indiana

It began with a couple of newlyweds, four cows, and a dream. This farm now has 90 cows and offers fall tours to show everyone what the reality their dream has become!

Kleine Dairy Farm

Cedar Lake, Indiana

  

A cow of a different color, this family milks Holsteins (the black and white cows) and Brown Swiss. They also raise corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, and pumpkins!

Purdue University Dairy Farm

West Lafayette, Indiana

Agriculture involves a lot of research, and dairy is no exception! The Purdue Dairy Farm is home to about 460 cattle and research about milk production, nutrition, and more. Take a virtual tour here!

While June Dairy Month is wrapping up, your interest in where your milk comes from doesn’t have to! Check out the cows at your county fair, keep up with the Kelsays at twomaidsamilking.com, and stay in touch with the American Dairy Association of Indiana blog.

#DairyGood Table Talk!

By Sarah Correll

A group of our favorite Indiana bloggers is celebrating June Dairy Month with us!  Some of them are having a ball with ice cream, one got a little cheesy with cheese making, and one is feeling a bit like a cow herself…  

Check out their dairy month adventures in the links below!

 Homemade Ice Cream Play & Freeze, Bargain Briana

Did you know Indiana ranks second in ice cream production? Briana had a great time making ice cream with her kids!

Royal Recipe: Delicious BLT Dip, The Queen of Free

The Queen of Free tested out- and loved- a new dip recipe! It includes Greek yogurt and cream cheese and is shared on her blog!

I Scream, You Scream, Fencerow to Fencerow

Where do you find the best sundae in Indiana? Jeanette talks about two of her favorite ice cream shops!

Summer Cool Down, Everyday Mom’s Meals

If you’re looking for a simple and refreshing summer treat, look no further! Krista combines to summer staples in this strawberry ice cream recipe.

Where I Feel Like a Dairy Cow…, Katie Unscripted

Did you know chocolate milk is the official refuel beverage of IRONMAN? Katie talks about her own fitness plans, and how dairy fits into them, in this post!

That’s So Cheesy!, Design Her Momma

Have you ever thought about making your own cheese? Emily shares her adventure in mozzarella cheese making!

June is Dairy Month, Alarm Clock Wars

Cookies and cream? Mint? Blackberry? Chocolate or vanilla? Marybeth chats about her favorite homemade ice cream flavors here!

Looks like everyone is having a #DairyGood June!  How are you celebrating?

Dairy Adventures of an Intern

By Michelle Mendoza, Ball State Dietetic Intern 

Summer is just kicking off and what a better way to celebrate summer, then to celebrate June Dairy Month with a cool, refreshing serving of your favorite ice cream. I think that there are fun and easy ways to get your three servings of dairy into your regular diet every day. Three easy ways to get dairy products into your diet are the standard milk, cheese and yogurt.

It’s starting to heat up outside so I think that it’s time to get creative and mix up your standard favorites. An easy way to keep cool this summer could be a homemade fruit yogurt pop. Mix in your favorite summer fruits and yogurt in a blender and put into an ice cube tray and now you have fun frozen yogurt pop treats.

If you want to get adventurous then you could try blending up a kale smoothie for a nutrient rich breakfast or snack. You will need fresh kale, flax seeds, non-fat plain Greek yogurt, berries (any kind), milk and a banana. Blend all these ingredients together and add ice if desired. You can now enjoy a fun green nutritious summer kale smoothie. This is a great way to get protein, vegetables, grains, fruits and dairy into your diet. If you want to try another way to eat cheese instead of string cheese, you could sprinkle some cinnamon over freshly sliced apples and complement them with low-fat cottage cheese. Together this will help maintain your blood sugar levels since it has the protein from the cheese and the carbohydrates from your fruit. This summer try to spice up your life and snacks with a little help from the dairy fairy.

I think that it is really important to support your local dairy farmers and a simple way to do that is to go to the grocery store and buy milk. From my time at the dairy council, I’ve learned that the milk you bought in the grocery store today was in a cow only 2 days ago. These dairy farmers work really hard to get you a fresh, tasty product from the farm to your table in no time. The local dairy farmers usually sell their milk to a milk company and they choose the company based on the best deal they can get for their product. If you are a Hoosier and you haven’t been to your local dairy farm, I highly encourage getting in touch with the nearest dairy farm and taking a tour. You will be amazed with how much work is put into these farms. As a dietetic intern I think that it is really fascinating to see both sides of the food industry. I’ve gotten to experience food from the nutrition side and now I have had the opportunity to see where the food comes from and the process that it goes through before coming to your grocery store. Dairy is a very important component of nutrition by providing 9 essential nutrients. By simply including dairy into your daily routine three times every day this June you are now celebrating June Dairy Month at your home!

Michelle Mendoza is from Phoenix, Arizona and is a student at Ball State. Her first dietetic internship rotation was with the Indiana Dairy Council. She previously spent her time working with dialysis patients and kidney outreach. After a few weeks at the Dairy Council, she has developed a greater appreciation for dairy farmers and the dairy industry.

Dairy Good

By Sarah Correll

The American Dairy Association of Indiana continued their June Dairy Month celebration this week. 

 

  

They shared the stories of seven more dairy families along with a good helping of family recipes!

 

Rauscher Farms

Huntingburg, IN 

The Rauscher brothers are committed to making their farm the best it can be by breeding the best cows they can.  They use genetic data to pair bulls with cows on their fourth generation farm.

 

Kelsay Farms

Whiteland, IN

Just a short drive from Indianapolis, the Kelsays milk 500 Holstein cows and raise 2200 acres of crops.  They offer tours of their farm and are very active on social media!  You can find them on Twitter (@KelsayFarms), Facebook (Kelsay Farm Tours and Two Maids a Milking), or Amy and Liz’s blog!

 

Seven Hills Dairy

Goodland, IN

Henk and Linda, the owners of this farm, moved to the United States from the Netherlands in 1996 to start this farm.  They now work alongside their 22 employees to manage over 4,000 cows and heifers.

 

Weaver Dairy Farm

Bennington, IN

 The Weaver family has long been a part of their local community.  They have farmed since 1944 in Switzerland and Ohio counties and find commitment to the community very important.  They find time to serve on the school board, fair board, and numerous other boards when they aren’t busy with their 130 cows.  Click on the image above to see Linda Weaver’s Mac & Cheese recipe- no one knows cheese like a dairy farmer!

 

Stockwell Farms

Hudson, IN

Passion for producing healthy, nutritious milk lies at the heart of this farm family.  The Stockwells value the health of their 450 cows and work hard to ensure that the cows are safe and comfortable.  Three generations of Stockwells have worked on the farm, and they look forward to continuing production well into the future!  You can find them on Facebook!

 

Schwoeppe Dairy Farm

Huntingburg, IN

 The Schwoeppes have a beautiful farm, and they would love to share it with you!  Darren and Sam are the fourth generation to work on the farm.  They milk 93 cows and raise 150 acres of hay alongside their parents and children. You can find them on Instagram and Twitter @SchwoeppeDairy!

 

Table Talk: Dairy Tips, Recipes and Activities

As we shift from June Dairy Month to National Ice Cream Month in July, a group of our Indiana Table Talk Contributors have been busy in their kitchens preparing all kinds of dairy goodness for their families to celebrate.

And there is a lot as Hoosiers to celebrate--our state is home to more than 1,500 dairy farms with an average of 102 cows, and all 7 major breeds of dairy cows are represented-- with 98% of Indiana dairy farms being family owned.

We asked our Table Talk Contributors to share us some tips, recipes or activities to celebrate Indiana dairy and they did not disappoint!

Ann-Marie over at Chaos is Bliss shared her tips on how to jazz up your milkshakes while beating the Indiana heat.

Kat over at Kat's Cafe whipped up some adorable infographics to share all kinds of cow and Indiana specific trivia.

Katie at Evoked by Light is very much anticipating this year's Indiana State Fair and the Year of the Dairy Cow. She made a kid-friendly Peanut Butter Fruit Dip with yogurt to celebrate in the meantime.

Crystal over on Moms 4 Less has been busy celebrating birthdays but made time to celebrate her favorite food group with these super yummy Cream Cheese Muffins.

Jen over on 4tunate whipped up some no-cook Homemade Triple Berry Ice Cream just perfect for the Fourth of July and to officially ring in National Ice Cream Month!

Speaking of ice cream...

An array of local personalities representing sports, business and media are flexing their wrists and perfecting their scooping techniques in preparation for Friday, July 13-- The 23rd annual Ice Cream Social on the Circle.

The annual salute to the nation’s favorite summertime treat is sponsored by the American Dairy Association of Indiana. The event takes place from 11 am to 2 pm on the southeast quadrant of Monument Circle, in front of IPL, Hilbert Circle Theatre and the Circle Tower.

Gigantic sundaes made from Edy’s Slow Churned Light Ice Cream will be served up for $3 each. This year’s beneficiary is the Diabetes Youth Foundation of Indiana, an organization that provides education and support to young people with Type 1 Diabetes.

Whether you celebrate with a tall glass of milk or a sundae for charity, we hope you too will enjoy some dairy this summer thanks to all the hard working men and women that care for the "ladies" that provide you nutritious and delicious dairy products everyday.

June Dairy Month Events Connect Farmers and Consumers

By Kimmi Devaney of Winners Drink Milk

As we wrap up June Dairy Month, don’t forget to show appreciation for all the hard work dairy farmers do day in and day out to provide you with your favorite dairy products.

June is a time to celebrate the men and women who produce one of the safest products in our food supply—milk. Dairy farmers don’t work ‘9 to 5’ and they don’t always get weekends or holidays off. Cows may need attention in the middle of the night or on Christmas morning. But this means no two days are the same.

Dairy farmers are dedicated and passionate about the land they farm, cows they take care of and providing you with wholesome, nutritious dairy products. This past Saturday, more than 500 people attended Brunch on the Farm at Nor-Bert Farms in Bremen, Indiana, and saw this firsthand.

This was an excellent opportunity to tour a working dairy farm, see robotic milking machines in action (they are pretty neat!) and to enjoy breakfast with the family. The event was free, but participants were encouraged to bring canned goods to be donated to a local food pantry. In all, we donated 602.5 pounds of food! Thanks to everyone who helped make that happen.

Attendees ranged from dairy farmers to those who had never seen cows before. We caught up with a few of our younger visitors to get their opinion on the farm. Claire, Hanna and Joel from Osceola had never been to a farm before and thought it was “cool” and “fun.” After the tour, they all agreed their favorite part of the morning was watching the robots milk the cows. Laura from Muncie visited with her entire family. They are involved in agritourism, so she had a closer connection to the industry. “I really liked being on a farm,” she said. “I miss my cows!”  Like the others, Laura also enjoyed watching the robotic milking machines.

For more information on future events, visit WinnersDrinkMilk.com.