First of all, I would like to say I don’t lead the “average” life. To many others, summer is a time to sleep in, relax and go on vacation, right? Well, some of those don’t really apply to my life. In the summer, I wake up earlier than I do in the school year to feed the calves and help do farm work, like stacking straw bales and transporting hay. Life in the summer is probably busier with farming and prepping animals for the county fair.
For example, on Memorial Day I had to work on the farm with my fair cows. For those of you who don’t know what I mean by “fair cows”, they are cows that I show at the fair. Showing is leading them around in a circle for a judge to either decide placements by showmanship, which is how I present the cow, or “type”, which is the physical appearance of the cow. I also show at state and national levels. To prep the cows for the show, you have to feed them, wash and shave them and practice leading them around. I start preparing for show about when I get out of school, so you could say it’s a process. Like I said, my life is different than your normal childhood.
Being a Fuel Up to Play 60 National Ambassador has opened many doors for me. I learned many things about leadership and being in a group. Also, it has brought me to Texas for the 2014 Student Ambassador Summit. I have met a few NFL players, viewed an Eagles preseason practice and much more.
I would like to ask you guys to thank a dairy farmer this month, and really any month. They work every day all year to get pure dairy foods on your tables. Also, I ask you to wish the National Dairy Council happy birthday, because they celebrate their 100th Anniversary this year!
Bradley
Dairy Farmer
National Ambassador
7th Grade
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