Media Cow Milking Champion Crowned!

For Immediate Release

INDIANAPOLIS (March 21, 2011) —As the final celebration of Agriculture Appreciation Month, today Tracy Forner of  WISH-TV’s Indy Style’s demonstrated his “dairy domination” to become Indiana’s Family of Farmers Media Cow Milking Champion!

Action shot of Media Cow Milking Champion, Tracy Forner.

The Milking Madness took place on the Government South lawn with each contestant given just 60 seconds to show their “udder” skill. Forner squeezed out the competition and confirmed his slot in the coveted Indiana State Fair Cow Milking Competition this summer for the Year of the Soybean.

 “As a professional dairyman I’ve seen a lot of milkers in my day, but Tracy is one of the best.  Good hands, good technique – all around a great champion,” said Indiana Agriculture Director, Joe Kelsay.

Dave Smiley of WZPL’s Smiley Morning Show, 2011 State Fair Queen Sarah Alford, Media Cow Milking Champion, Tracy Forner of WISH-TV’s Indy Style, Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show, John Stehr of WTHR-TV, Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style and Indiana Agriculture Director, Joe Kelsay.

Final amounts:

(100 ml)  Tracy Forner from WISH-TV’s Indy Style

(70 ml)  Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style

(Trace)  John Stehr of WTHR

(Trace)  Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show            

(Trace)  Dave Smiley of the Smiley Morning Show on WZPL-FM

Indiana’s Family of Farmers would like to thank all of the media contestants for participating, the Statehouse Events and Tours Department for their support, Indiana Pork and Milk Promotion Services of Indiana for providing a taste of the State fair with free pork burgers and milk for spectators, and Steve Hendress, animal science instructor and assistant manager of the dairy research farm at Purdue University who was kind enough to drive today’s cow Sheila and Patty the 4-day old calf all the way from Lafayette for the occasion.

We are also grateful to Dave Russell of Brownfield radio who served as master of ceremonies, Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay for his “color commentary,” 2011 State Fair Queen Sarah Lynn Alford for her punctual timekeeping and IFOF representative Andy Dietrick of Indiana Farm Bureau who served as judge.

About Indiana’s Family of Farmers

Indiana’s Family of Farmers grows the grains, produce and meat you eat every day.

We believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you, your family and the environment. Food for your family, from our family.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

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Photos are available in a higher resolution upon request. You will also find additional photos on the Indiana’s Family of Farmers Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/FamilyofFarmers

Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

FFA: One Generation to the Next

Guest Post By Micah Matlock, 2010-2011 Indiana FFA State Sentinel

Agriculture is the foundation of civilization and society today, just as it has been for over the past 10,000 years.  Just as civilization and society has changed drastically from generation to generation, so has agriculture.  I come from a family of dairy farmers over 4 generations back on both sides of the family.  There are few things that I find more fascinating than having the chance to sit down with my grandfather and listen to him ramble on about the “glory days” when he was a dairy farmer in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  It is astounding to see how far agriculture has come in the last 50 years.

The list of changes in agriculture from 4 generations ago is endless.  Even the list of changes from one generation ago (my father’s generation) to today’s generation is extensive.  When my dad was managing a 500 head registered Holstein farm in the late 1980’s, corn was only $2.00 per bushel, diesel was only $1.50 per gallon, and milk was $12.00.  Now, for various reasons, prices of these commodities have risen significantly with corn at $7.00 per bushel, diesel at $3.70 per gallon, and milk nearing $18 per hundred weight and these prices will no doubt only continue to rise!  Agriculture has always been, is, and will always be the foundation of our American economy.

Even the changes in FFA from my father’s generation, when he served as the 1971-1972 Indiana FFA State Vice President, to my generation have been drastic as I now serve as the 2010-2011 Indiana FFA State Sentinel.  For instance, ‘FFA’ is no longer called the Future Farmers of America.  Instead, we are now simply known (on the national level) as the National FFA Organization to further demonstrate the changing agriculture industry as it diversifies and becomes more than just farming.  Also, for the majority of the time that my father was an FFA member, women were not allowed in FFA in Indiana until 1970.  Now, not only do women make up over 50 percent of the membership, they also hold over 60 percent of the leadership positions in FFA.  For example, for the first time in Indiana FFA history, the Indiana FFA State Officer team consists of six women, and one guy (me).  Those were only two changes out of the countless number of changes that the FFA has seen since it began in 1923. 

What’s even more exciting than how much agriculture has changed in the past 50 years is how fast agriculture is changing today.  What we have seen is that each generation in our country becomes one more generation of American society that is removed from the farm.  This creates less and less understanding about where our food comes from and how it is produced.  Therefore, the demand for excellent leaders in the agriculture industry that can proactively advocate the importance of agriculture continues to rise.  That demand has in turn placed pressure upon my generation’s shoulders to be able to carry the load when our time comes.  I have no doubt that my generation of FFA members (over 523,000 members strong nation-wide) will rise to the challenge to see that agriculture continues to flourish, just as it has since the first person grew their first crop.

Gardening Tips From Real Farmwives of America & Friends Ott, A.

Guest Post By Real Farmwives of America & Friends' Amy Ott of A Latte with Ott, A

Here in Central Indiana there is still a chill in the air, but as each day passes another robin hops around our yard, the length of the day gets a little bit longer and the grass green up a little bit more. This is a great time of year to start planning your garden.  Here are a few tips for simple tasks to help ensure a successful garden later in the growing season. 

Plant some pansies. Pansies are a great flower to plant in early spring as they are hardy enough to be resistant to frost and come in several pretty colors.

Plant cool season crops such as peas, onions, swiss chard, spinach and lettuce in early spring so they mature before the hot weather arrives.

There's an old wives tail that you should plant your potatoes before Good Friday for good results.  (Except for this year where Easter is really late, you may want to do plant them a little earlier.)

Plant seeds inside to transplant into your garden later in the season. Seed trays are a great way to get plants started, just keep the seedlings in sunny place.

Plot out your garden space so crops grow in different spots than in previous seasons. This not only helps your soil, but also keeps plants from being susceptible to disease.

Clean up garden area and prepare the soil.  This can be as simple as cleaning out any dead plants on weeds that overwintered, to tilling the soil, to adding compost.

Agriculture Appreciation Month in Indiana Concludes with “Moovalous” Media Cow Milking Contest!

Media Advisory

INDIANAPOLIS (March 17, 2011) — As the conclusion of the celebration of Agriculture Appreciation Month, five members of the Indianapolis media will see who squeezes out the competition in the Indiana’s Family of Farmers Media Cow Milking Contest on the Government South lawn Monday, March 21 at 11:30 a.m.

      

Contestants include John Stehr of WTHR, Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show, Tracy Forner & Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style and Dave Smiley of the Smiley Morning Show on WZPL-FM. Dave Russell of Brownfield radio will serve as master of ceremonies, Indiana Agriculture Director (and dairy farmer) Joe Kelsay will provide coaching and “color commentary,” 2011 State Fair Queen Sarah Lynn Alford will be the official timekeeper and IFOF representative Andy Dietrick of Indiana Farm Bureau  will serve as the judge.

Each contestant will be given just 60 seconds to show they have the “udder” skill to earn the honor of Indiana’s Family of Farmers Media Cow Milking Champion and confirm his or her slot in the coveted State Fair Cow Milking Competition this summer for the Year of the Soybean.

In addition, spectators will be able to enjoy an early taste of the State Fair with Indiana Pork providing free pork burgers on a first come-first served basis.  Plus, Milk Promotion Services of Indiana will make a cool contribution from the Dairy Bar by providing milk chugs also on a first-come first-served basis.   

Who:                

John Stehr of WTHR

Kjerstin Ramsing from FOX59’S Morning Show

Andi Hauser from WISH-TV’s Indy Style 

Tracy Forner from WISH-TV’s Indy Style

Dave Smiley of the WZPL-FM Smiley Morning Show

Indiana Agriculture Director Joe Kelsay

Dave Russell of Brownfield Radio  

2011 State Fair Queen, Sarah Lynn Alford 

Andy Dietrick of Indiana Farm Bureau

         

When:              

Monday, March 21, 2011

Time:              

11:30 a.m.

Where:           

Government Center South Lawn

Off of Robert Orr Drive

Indianapolis, IN

About Indiana’s Family of Farmers

Indiana’s Family of Farmers grows the grains, produce and meat you eat every day.

We believe that quality farming means quality food that is good for you, your family and the environment. Food for your family, from our family.

Learn more at www.indianafamilyoffarmers.com.

###

Contact information:

Jeannie Keating, Manager of Media Relations

Indiana State Department of Agriculture

317.696.9695, jkeating@isda.in.gov

A World Without Farmers

Have you ever thought about what your favorite grocery store would look like if farmers didn't exist?

Thankfully, Indiana is full of farm families that help make sure that our nation's shelves are filled with your family's favorite ingredients.

Celebrate National Ag Week with us and tell us what your favorite grocery store is and why here and on Facebook to be entered to win a $50 gift card to the grocery store of your choice!

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 10-12 Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 10-12

Morgan Williams, 12^th Grader at Rushville Consolidated High School

Teacher:  Blair Orme

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Indiana agriculture has influenced our lives in more ways than we realize. Without our farms, life as we know it today would cease to exist. Agriculture is essential to our lives. Farmers not only feed and provide us with clothing, but they also protect our environment and boost our economy. Farms keep our way of life going.

In recent years, agriculture has come to mean more than just farming the land and feeding our population. Farmers in Indiana and all across the nation constantly develop new ways to protect and preserve our environment. They discover new ways to preserve our soil and farm the land more efficiently. These days, agriculturalists help keep our food safe to eat, efficiently produce more products, and help our economy grow and prosper.

The safety of our food has become a debated issue within the United States. Agricultural research has developed new ways to farm the land efficiently without the use of pesticides and chemicals. Researchers have found ways to keep food safe, while still protecting our crops from harmful insects and other sorts of animals. Regulations on how much of each chemical can be used and how much can be used have been established. Also, we have seen an increase in organic food on grocery shelves. More consumers want to see their food grown in more natural ways, with fewer chemicals.

Agriculture has grown to be more efficient by discovering ways to plant more and harvest more. Nowadays, farms harvest a significantly larger amount of crops within a year. With more being produced, agriculture has stimulated our sinking economy. The food and other goods produced from our farmers are essentials that consumers buy, and this all keeps our economy going.

Agriculture affects our everyday lives in positive ways that we tend to overlook. We take our food, our clothing, and our farms for granted more often than we should. We need to remember that without farms and rural communities, life could not go on. Indiana agriculture improves our lives and helps make this world a better place for everyone.

Our Food, Our Farmers: Grades 7-9 and Overall Essay Winner

Our Food, Our Farmers Ag Essay Contest – 2011

Written Essay Winner: Grades 7-9; Overall

Casey Campbell, 9th Grader at Franklin Community High School

Teacher:  Sarah Rapp

“Food for Thought – Our Food, Our Farmers”

Let’s think for a second. This morning you most likely had breakfast. Eggs? Bacon?

Follow the paths that your breakfast took. Those eggs came from a chicken. That chicken was on a farm, run by a farmer. That crispy bacon on your plate came from a hot, which came from a hog operation. Think of the work those farmers did for you. The care, effort, and time those farmers gave to give you one meal. American farmers feed and clothe us, contribute to the economy, protect the environment, improve our health and so much more.

American farmers feed you and me. They spend countless hours of hard work, effort and time into pulling food on the table, whether it’s the farmer in Florida or the grain producer in Iowa laboring over wheat to make your birthday cake. Your shirt was one of the 1,217 shirts that came from one 500 pound cotton bale! So where would we be without American farmers? Hungry and Naked, But, American farmers do much more than that.

Farmers do more than feed us. They feed the world’s economy. Agriculture employs about 14 percent of America’s workforce and accounts for more than 5 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Agriculture and the economy are best friends. The crops fail, prices and demand go up. The economy goes bad, agriculture goes down with it.

If anyone protects the environment, it’s farmers. Farmers care of the land and protect it. They preserve the land by soil and water conservation. Because without the land, we couldn’t farm. They are for controlled and planned urbanization. On their farms, they increase energy efficiency. Farmers do so much to protect our planet.

Farmers improve our health by giving us a continual supply of high quality food and fibers. Farmers give us an abundance of goods to keep us healthy. They care about the quality of their products. They give us adequate nutrition we need for excellent health! Without the supply, we would no longer be here!

American agriculture plays an enormous role in my life, even if I didn’t live on a farm. Farmers keep me fed and clothed, they even improve my health. Not to mention how they protect the environment and improve the economy. So, thank you to all of Indiana’s farmers for doing what you do.