Kansas

If any of you are active on Facebook, you’ve probably heard about this video created by the Peterson brothers from Saline County. “I’m Farming and I Grow It” is a parody to the popular “I’m Sexy and I Know It” by LMFAO.

These three Kansas farm boys – Greg, Nathan and Kendal – are passionate about agriculture. I am fortunate enough to know Greg, as we are both Ag Communications & Journalism students at K-State and work together through the Ag Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) club. I think we’re lucky to have a member as creative and as excited about our industry as Greg.

Here’s a link to a article in the Kansas City Star about the video that has gone viral: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/27/3679943/saline-county-brothers-parody.html

Link to video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48H7zOQrX3U

Enjoy!

Robin

P.S. – Be sure to check them out on Facebook too! http://www.facebook.com/PetersonFarmBros

Tags: Beef, Cattle, Cowboy, Family Farms, Farmers, Food Production, Kansas, Ranch

As Father’s Day approaches this Sunday, I felt compelled to take a few minutes and share my appreciation for the hard work and compassion cattlemen in our industry put forth to ensure their livestock are well cared for, crops and hay fields are tended to just in the nick of time; all while working to preserve the land for future generations of their families to enjoy. Many of these cattlemen even carry the title: Father. Which, depending on who you may ask; may be a more difficult task. J 

THE MAN I CALL MY DAD

From a young age, I picked up real quick the special character one has to have to wear the many hats of a farmer or rancher. From his duties and jobs on the farm, to the committees and organizations he has served and belonged to. There was always working that needed to be done and he made sure it happened. I have a lot of reasons to be thankful for the man I call my Father. Honestly, if it weren’t for this great man, I might not have ever grown up on a farm and might not have learned quite so quickly the life lessons and value of hard work, respect, compassion and volunteerism that life on the farm-along his side, has given me. But if there is one thing that I have realized reflecting on my farming Father and his on-going battle with cancer; it is that he is also strong and brave; stronger than I will ever be and braver than I can ever dream to be. I hope that I am able to withhold even a fraction of the strength that he has been able to keep.

Now, don’t get me wrong, my Dad is not the only man out there who juggled running a ranch while raising a family and recently I came across a new twitter chat that I have enjoyed streaming. It’s called #dadchat; a place for dads to share their light on the many subjects pertaining to raising a family. Some of these guys are pretty awesome. They even share their experiences and life lessons on their blogs as well.

So, in honor of Father’s Day what more fitting than to feature a few awesome agriculture daddy bloggers! Here’s a short list of some of my favorites!

Glenn Brunkow, Dust on the Dashboard

Jeff Fowle, Common Sense Agriculture

Will Gilmer, The Dairyman’s Blog  

Darin Grimm, Darin’s Ramblings

I’ve shed a little light on my Father and the role model that he is in my life. What makes your Father awesome? How do you plan to show him your appreciation this Father’s Day? (I suggest grilling him a lean, juicy, mouthwatering cut of BEEF of course!)

Happy Father’s Day!

Kiley Stinson

Tags: Beef, Cattle, Family Farms, Farmers, Food Production, Kansas, Ranch

We all know consumers are becoming more and more removed from their food and how it is grown or raised and yet have more and more questions and concerns about agriculture. But with a U.S. population of more than 300 million people, how do we even begin to bridge that gap?

 

For a program I helped organize last week, we bridged that gap by connecting with 43 of the nation’s most influential dietitians – from Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, New York, Minnesota, Washington, Utah, Kentucky, California and Florida – and bringing them to a cattle ranch in Kansas. From university professors and hospital dietitians to sports and grocery store dietitians, these leading health professionals provide food and nutrition information and advice to clients, patients and students every day.

 

The three-day seminar, “A Nutrition Adventure: Connecting Food, Farm and Science” was hosted by the Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska beef councils. Culinary and research experts as well as local cattle farmers and ranchers taught the dietitians about all aspects of beef – from pasture to plate.

 

On the first day, the dietitians learned about beef and nutrition and how the carcass is broken down into the cuts they find in their grocery stores and restaurants – including the 29 lean cuts of beef. They heard from a variety of chefs and culinary experts about flavor pairings and beef cookery. The dietitians participated in a hands-on cooking competition where they were able to practice grilling, sautéing and pan-broiling steaks.

    

Chef Shenoa French with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association discussing beef cuts with the dietitians.

 

Kari Underly with Range, Inc., discusses the art of beef cutting and provides a cutting demonstration for participants.

 

 

The winning team from the “Chopped” competition hard at work preparing their lean beef dish.

 

Winning team from the “Chopped” competition with their Citrus-Infused Asian Kabobs with Couscous

 

Day two of the seminar highlighted nutrition research presentations. Heather Leidy, Ph.D., with the University of Missouri, discussed the importance of eating high-quality protein, like lean beef, at breakfast in order to curb appetite and improve satiety throughout the day. Mike Roussell, Ph.D., one of the authors of the new “Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet,” or BOLD study, discussed lean beef’s role in a heart-healthy diet.

Mike Roussell, Ph.D., presented the results of the recent BOLD study that show lean beef, when included in a healthy diet, has beneficial effects on heart health.

 

A highlight for many participants was a tour of Tailgate Ranch in Tonganoxie, Kan. There, the group mingled with Leavenworth County, Kan., beef producers and heard first-hand from a beef panel made up of Kirk Sours, a cow-calf rancher and manager of Tailgate Ranch; Ken Real, a feedyard operator and manager of Real Cattle Company in Nebraska; and Patti Dollarhide, a registered dietitian with Cargill Meat Solutions. The dietitians had several hours to ask the panelists questions, and boy did they have some great ones! Topics discussed varied from grass- and grain-finished beef to breeding and genetics to growth hormones and antibiotics.

 

A dietitian looks over some cattle at Tailgate Ranch.

 

Left-to-right: Patti Dollarhide, Cargill Meat Solutions; Ken Real, Real Cattle Company; and Kirk Sours, Tailgate Ranch.

 

The last morning of the three-day event focused on communicating about food and health. Liz Weiss, MS, RD, with Meal Makeover Moms, led the dietitians through a workshop where they learned to utilize branding and social media. Attendees were tasked with brainstorming how to take the information learned at the program back to their local media, patients, clients and fellow health professionals.

Liz Weiss listens to an idea for a television spot from a Nutrition Adventure attendee.

  

“A Nutrition Adventure: Connecting Food, Farm and Science” allowed an open, two-way exchange of information about protein, beef and beef production practices. The event also forged many new connections and friendships. I overhead several dietitians saying they now have the confidence and information to be able to tell their clients, patients and students how beef gets from the pasture to their plates.

The Nutrition Adventure dietitians pause for a group photo at Tailgate Ranch.

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