National FFA Convention

It will take a bunch of posts for me to get to everything that went on at, and in conjunction with, my trip to the National FFA Convention. This one will focus on the chaperones. A person would think that a group of adults traveling with a bus load of teens would have to be serious. Well that is NOT the case. Just the opposite! I don't think I have ever met a more humorous, fun-loving, creative group of people in all of my life. But on the other hand extremely serious about what they are doing. That being, giving the youth the most beneficial opportunities they can possibly have while away from home and at the convention. Keep in mind some of these youth have never been away from home before and now they will be away for 4 whole days. This picture was taken at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co. at Navy Pier in Chicago. The waiters are trained to ask you trivia questions about Forrest Gump. Through a joint effort "we" get most of the questions correct. (the "we" is a stretch because I love to read but movies are not necessarily my thing, but I can usually talk the talk, even if I don't know the details) The advisers from l-r are Dan Robinson, Lomira , Mike Hennes, Hartford, Kim Preuss, Ripon, Tari Costello, Waupun, Linda Burton, Laconia and yours truly. Parents in these school districts, you have the best of the best in teachers.

I know why we have so many youth from our community winning awards etc. with these wonderful adults as their leaders!

Stay linked, for more on our Convention trip.

A few quick entries and then off to Indianapolis!

Greetings, I just have a couple of websites and phone numbers I gave out this week on the air. If you are interested in signing up for the Landscape Pesticide Registry go on to http://www.kfiz.com/ then to agri-business and go to Rae Nell's favorite websites and click on the datcp site. or call 1-608-224-4616. The deadline is February 1st.

The Farmers Health Cooperative is starting informational meetings again. The local ones are

UW-Fond du Lac Tuesday October 23, 2007
University Center Room 113/114
400 University Dr.
Fond du Lac 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. 8 p.m.

Juneau Community Center Thursday October 25, 2007
500 Lincoln Dr.
P.O. Box 14
Juneau, 10 a.m.,1:30 p.m. 8 p.m.

Berlin Library Monday October 29, 2007
Kay Swan Meeting Room
121 W. Park Ave.
Berlin, 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. 6 p.m.

Manitowoc Public Library Monday November 12, 2007
Balkansky Community Room A
707 Quay St.
Manitowoc, 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m.,6 p.m.

Brillion Community Center Tuesday November 13, 2007
Assembly Room
120 Center Room
Brillion, 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 7 p.m.

West Bend City Hall Tuesday November 27, 2007
1115 S. Main St.
West Bend, 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m.. 8 p.m.

For more information their website is www. farmershealthcooperative.com. Be sure to tune in next week I will be traveling to Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention. See you when I return!

World Dairy Expo Recap ... Best of the Best!

The real reason everybody is at the Alliant Energy Center the first week in October is because of some 4 legged bovine beauties. Yes, you can have as many booths and feed info and supplies places you want but the truth is we would not be there at all if it were not for the dairy cow. The best of the best goes through the ring in Madison the first week of October. The thought of owning something that even looks like she belongs there is a thrill. (at least for the average breeder) Pictured is our Beebow Champion Gloria, being shown by our daughter Joseta. My favorite picture is the rear shot. I call this "THE WALK." It is the incredible journey from the barn to the show ring. The last moments of thought before the judge has his final word.

We purchased Gloria from Ivan, Mary and Nicholas Schuster last October. We Love having her in our barn and showing her this year was equally exciting. She was not by far the BEST at World Dairy Expo but she is our best and we were proud to have her there. Congratulations to all of the exhibitors that had dairy cattle at Expo. Whether you were on the top or on the bottom. You still are the best of the best. I hope everyone that reads these blogs gets it... The reason so many people travel to Madison the first week in October. A cultural, family oriented and rewarding experience that all should enjoy!

World Dairy Expo Recap ... Family Matters

The agriculture industry has the market on family time. I am not talking about going to a Brewer game or for a weekend camping trip. I am talking about working at an event like World Dairy Expo and loving it! In the barns and around the ring you see lots of experience (older generation) along with those people who are working now and then there is the future of agriculture. The future of agriculture was exhibited to the fullest on Thursday evening at the youth showmanship contest. 168 young people between the ages of 9 and 19 showed. 22 states were represented. Some local participants are pictured above. On the left is Kelsey Waldschmidt of Fond du Lac, and on the right, pictured with the Wisconsin Holstien Princess Attendant Kristin Klossner, is Rachel Bock of Malone. Other local showmen were Theresa, Katie, and William Bock and Kyle Natzke.

It is an excellent opportunity for the young people in the dairy industry to feel the COLORED SHAVINGS under their feet. Congratulations to ALL of the Young people that participated in Showmanship at World Dairy Expo and Congratulations to the dairy families that take advantage of an opportunity to work with all generations!

World Dairy Expo Recap ... International Style

A lay person may have a difficult time understanding my excitement with attending World Dairy Expo, so I will try to show in pictures just why it is truly a neat experience. If you are from Wisconsin, while walking around the grounds, you may run into any number of people you know either a neighbor or people you know from one of the many farm organizations you belong to. On the other hand, if you walk quietly you may also one of many foreign languages. The US Government has a terrible time getting along with Iran but judging from the picture below, the Iranians have no trouble coming to soak up some the latest and greatest in the dairy industry in the US. Pictured above, left is an attendee from Tanzania and above right I am pictured with Canadian Ken Empey. When consulted by the powers that be at Expo as who I would like to interview I expressed an interest in interviewing someone that has judged one of the great cattle shows. Lisa Behnke delivered (as usual) and we had the chance to meet Ken Empey. Ken reported he has judged in 28 countries and was an extremely interesting gentleman.

National 4-H Week!

Sorry, this is a few days late. I was at World Dairy Expo last Friday, so this will have to do.

I talked to Executive Chef Jack Kaestner about an event that works to rebuild local food relationships between chefs and local growers. The event is on October 22nd. If you are interested in more details go to http://www.wibuylocal.org/. The event is at Waukesha Technical College Educational Center in Pewaukee.

On November 1st in East Troy there is a workshop to assist producers in accessing local markets. There are also workshops being held in Chippewa Falls on Nov. 13th, and in Algoma on Nov. 14th. If you have any questions you can call Jeanne Carpenter at 608-358-7837 or e-mail her at Jeanne@wordartisanllc.com.

This is National 4-H Week. Last Friday and Saturday I talked to FDL Co. 4-H Youth Development Agent, Denise Retzleff about their afterschool programs. I feel this much needed program is an excellent example of the changing times. 4-H started so many years ago for boys to exhibit their crops and girls to exhibit cooking and sewing. If you are a regular listener of KFIZ you already know I have a long history with the 4-H Program. First as a 4-H member and then as a leader for almost 35 years. I could be a 4-H leader for another almost 35 years and I could never return to the 4-H Program what it did for me.

Congratulations to the National 4-H Program!

The Campbellsport FFA Alumni is holding their annual Chili Supper this Saturday evening, from 6 to 9, in the Campbellsport High School Cafeteria. The cost is all you can eat for $5.00 and 5 and under eat free. There will be a small fund raiser auction and the drawing will be held for their lawn tractor raffle. DO NOT MISS IT!

By Friday I hope to have a few picture from World Dairy Expo.

Have a Great Week...