My Year as Susquehanna County Dairy Princess

 

My name is Taylor Sebring, Susquehanna County Dairy Princess. My parents Brad and Cindy Sebring, and my four siblings, Dylan, Alexis, Madyson, and my twin sister, Samantha resides on our farm in Dalton. We all live and work on our farm, Sebring Family Farms. I’m currently in the eleventh grade attending Abington Heights High School. Along with attending school, I have a part time job and attend church at Peckville Assembly of God. I participate in 4-H raising and showing livestock and dairy animals and have had the honor of being the 2015-2016 Susquehanna County Dairy Princess.

I was first introduced to the Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion Program by Katrina Vidota, a fellow dairy promoter, currently reigning as a Dairy Ambassador in Susquehanna County. It took me a year to actually get involved in the program and there is not a day that goes by that I do not appreciate all that this program offers and does for me.

Throughout my reign I have had the opportunity to work with both children and adults promoting the dairy industry in Susquehanna County. Some of the highlights was meeting and having ice cream with the Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding, making many new long-lasting relationships, and most of all, promoting the fabulous dairy industry! Although my reign is coming to a close soon I plan to still be involved in the dairy promotion program as a committee member helping the dairy promotion court during their upcoming promotion year.

This program has taught me responsibility, leadership, confidence, patience, and so much more! I was so blessed by having this experience and now I will pass my crown on to a new Princess who will take this and so much more from the dairy promotion program.

Members of the 2016-2017 Court will include Brooke Marvin to be crowned Dairy Princess, Dairy Ambassadors Emory Bewley, Alivia Hughes, Elizabeth Chidester, Dana Nunemacher, Mary Catherine Chidester, Krista Jones and Kendra Brant. Joining these girls as Dairy Maids are Katelyn Farley, Kaelynn Brant and Courtney Marvin.

I would like to invite family and friends of the dairy industry to attend the 2016 Susquehanna County Dairy Princess Pageant. This event will be held at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Parish Hall on Church Street in Montrose on May 27^th, at 7:30 P.M.

Hope you can join us at this year’s pageant and don't forget your 3-Every-Day servings of dairy!

 

 

Blue Ridge Pre-K Visit Brant’s Dairy Farm

Submitted by Kendra Brant, Susquehanna County Dairy Maid

The Blue Ridge Pre-K students made their annual field trip to Brant’s Dairy Farm on the morning of March 24, 2016.  The kids came to learn how the farm works and what we do every day.

Dairy Promoters Kaelynn B. and Katrina V. visit
with Pre-K students.

I am Kendra Brant, a Susquehanna County Dairy Maid and 6^th grade Blue Ridge student. I was joined that morning at my family farm with Brooke Marvin, Alternate Susquehanna County Dairy Princess as well as Katrina Vidota, the Dairy Ambassador, and my sister Kaelynn Brant, also a Dairy Maid.  Evie Goff heads up the Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion program and helped get everything organized to go smoothly that morning. My parents Keith and Pam, and brother, Kyle, were also there helping at stations throughout the farm.

Blue Ridge Pre-K students and teachers at Brant's Dairy Farm.

I spoke to the students about the baby calves.  We discussed what the calves eat and drink.  We also talked about their ages and how old they have to be to move to a different pen.  Kaelynn and Katrina’s station focused on milking the cows and they showed students how to put the milkers on the cows and how the milk gets transported through the pipeline to the milk house.  Brooke talked with the kids about the milk storage, how it is put in the tank and then leaves the farm and heads to the milk plant.  Our employees Maria Diaz and Lisa Zurn also helped out at the stations. Maria spoke to the children about what the cows get to eat to help them make the most milk and Lisa helped me at the calf station. My brother and father showed students the farm tractors and helped them get up in them to pretend drive. The students were able to play on a large hay fort that my dad had built for the occasion.   

Christopher K. learns about
the milking a cow!

When we finished the stations, everyone had some snacks.  We enjoyed a dairy treat, Gogurt, and the kids were reminded to have 3 servings of dairy per day.   At the end, we had a huge Easter egg hunt in the yard.

My family and I plan on continuing to partner with Blue Ridge and give young children the opportunity to visit a working dairy farm.  It was a great day and there were many smiling kids who enjoyed it.

“Shaking It Up in the Classroom”

Submitted by: Kaelynn Brant, Susquehanna County Dairy Maid

My name is Kaelynn Brant. I am in Mrs. Button’s 3rd grade class at Blue Ridge Elementary School. I am also a Susquehanna County Dairy Maid. This is my second year participating in the dairy promotion program.

 Recently I decided to do a dairy promotion right in my own classroom. This consisted of Brooke Marvin, the Alternate Susquehanna County Dairy Princess, talking to the kids about how she promotes the dairy industry in the community.

Kendra Brant, my sister and fellow Dairy Maid, passed out pencils and cow erasers to the children. I demonstrated how to make shaker pudding with instant pudding mix and milk. Each child got a container with pudding mix and milk and were instructed to “shake it up” until it became a thick pudding consistency. Then they got to eat it!

After the yummy treat Brooke and I talked about the importance of having three servings of dairy every day of yogurt, cheese or milk. And most importantly ice cream for dessert! Kendra asked everyone if they would like a copy of the shaker pudding recipe and handed them out to those who wanted one. Those kids thought it would be fun to “shake it up” at home!

Everyone appeared to enjoy our visit and thanked us all for coming in and sharing our knowledge of dairy and our dairy treat.

Susquehanna County Dairy Maid Kaelynn Brant and Alternate Princess Brooke Marvin visit Mrs. Button’s classroom at Blue Ridge Elementary School.

Why not eat Yogurt?

Susquehanna County
Dairy Ambassador
Emory Bewley

Written by: Emory Bewley, Susquehanna County Dairy Ambassador

           Few foods help meet your nutritional needs at every stage of life better than live and active culture yogurt. Plus yogurt comes in so many flavors and varieties, it appeals to every member of the family. Keep yogurt stocked in your refrigerator for a nutritious snack or meal, any time, every day.

            Yogurt is often included on healthy food lists... and for good reason. Like most dairy products, yogurt is a good source of protein - an average 8-ounce serving contains between 8 and 10 grams of protein, or 16 to 20 percent of the Daily Recommended Value. Yogurt also is an excellent source of calcium. Most standard serving sizes of yogurt contain slightly more calcium than do equivalent servings of milk. Yogurt is low in fat and high in certain minerals and essential vitamins, including potassium, phosphorus, Vitamin B12, and riboflavin B2. It's available in a variety of fat levels, from nonfat and low fat to yogurt made with whole milk, and also comes in reduced calorie forms.
           The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that individuals ages 9 and older consume 3 servings of dairy, either milk, cheese or yogurt each day. I would like to share one easy recipe that uses yogurt in a delicious smoothie.

Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie

Ingredients
2 Bananas
2 Cups of Strawberries
1 Cup of Vanilla Yogurt
½ Cup of Pineapple Juice
2 or 3 Ice Cubes

Directions

Add all ingredients and blend until smooth. Add ice as needed. Share this simple-to-make smoothie with your family and get one of your three daily servings of dairy — good for all ages.

#  #  #

Emory Bewley is a Dairy Ambassador with the Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion program. She is 13-years-old and is in seventh grade at the Mountain View High School.               

Why does Santa drink MOO-licious milk?

Submitted by: Susquehanna County Alternate Dairy Princess Brooke Marvin

As Christmas is coming around the corner, children of all ages are moving more and more onto the edge of their seats while waiting for the twenty-fifth of December to arrive. Whether it be the anticipation of the arrival of Santa or the urge to be good to avoid all costs of being put on the naughty list, children count down the days with family and friends.

Brooke Marvin, Susquehanna County
Alternate Dairy Princess ready for
the Christmas season!

As the twenty-fourth of December comes, children race to bake cookies of all kinds as well as run to their local grocery store to ensure a glass of milk is available for Santa. Why milk may you ask? 

Milk, nature’s protein drink, provides nine essential nutrients that give Santa an extra boost in performing his annual trip to deliver presents around the world. The protein, carbohydrates, and fat content assist in providing energy just as it would for anyone. As the Alternate Dairy Princess of Susquehanna County, I have been given the opportunity to interview Santa while enjoying a cold, refreshing glass of milk with the man himself. 

Santa states, “The energy milk has to offer is as unique as I am. Not only does it taste delicious, but also gives me the focus and speed I need. Plus, with how fast Rudolph and Vixen dash through the sky and onto rooftops, I could use all the endurance and strength I can get! Any flavor of milk will do the job, however, chocolate, white, and strawberry are my favorites!”    

On another note, the calcium found in milk aids in providing strong bones for Santa to carry the millions of presents the elves at the North Pole produce throughout the year. In addition, milk is a nutritious drink that is capable of replenishing the fluids and nutrients that are used up within the body of Santa due to his work and efforts.

Last but not least, Santa said, “Hey, let’s not forget about the families and friends that supply us with the products that make us healthy. While elves at the North Pole are creating toys for boys and girls, dairy farmers are producing milk for the world to enjoy. Each and every farmer puts a tremendous amount of effort and care into their 24/7 job.”

So, what do you say? Is it time to receive an extra boost in your Christmas along with supporting our dairy farmers? Don’t forget to add MOO-tastic milk to your Christmas list!

Would you like to start a new holiday tradition?

My name is Dana Nunemacher and I am a Susquehanna County Dairy Ambassador. If you're looking to start a new holiday tradition, then here is the recipe for you. "Creamy Crock  Pot Hot Chocolate" is the perfect holiday drink that leave you feeling warm and toasty while giving you a dose of dairy. 

In this recipe, many of the ingredients are dairy based. Drinking milk is a great way to fill up with Vitamin D. There are other important nutrients such as potassium, and Vitamin A that can be found in milk. Also, milk will help with bone growth and development as it is full of calcium.

Happy Holidays from your Susquehanna Dairy Promotion Team!

Dana Nunemacher
Susquehanna County Dairy Ambassador

Creamy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

Prep time:  5 mins

Serves: 6-8 servings,

Ingredients

1.5 cups heavy whipping cream

(1) 14oz can sweetened condensed milk

6 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups of milk chocolate chips (can also use half semi-sweet)

Instructions

1. Stir together the whipping cream, milk, vanilla, and chocolate chips in a 5 quart crock pot.

2. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally with whisk, until mixture is hot and chocolate chips are melted.

3. Once it is heated through and chocolate is melted, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting. Stir again before serving. (If you have trouble getting the chocolate to melt, turn to high temporarily).

4. Garnish individual cups of hot chocolate with whipped cream or marshmallows.

Recipe source: adapted from mrshappyhomemaker.com

Refuel with Low-Fat Chocolate Milk

Submitted by Susquehanna County Alternate Dairy Princess, Brooke Marvin

“Vroom, vroom!” Is that what you imagine when you think of refueling? As the months of summer are dwindling, students, athletes, and parents are getting prepared to soar through their year of school. When you went school shopping, what did you think of? Was it the endless options of clothes or shoes? To the Alternate Dairy Princess of Susquehanna County, Brooke Marvin, school shopping consisted of dairy products including MOO-licious chocolate milk. Why may you ask?

Brooke Marvin
Susquehanna County Alternate
Dairy Princess

Research has shown that chocolate milk is a great source of nutrients and recovery drink for those who are athletes. Low-fat chocolate milk contains the perfect combination of protein and carbohydrates to help you refuel along with electrolytes that help you restore what you lost through sweat. In addition, it is a great way to hydrate due to the sodium and potassium levels found in milk. Not only does it help quench your thirst, but helps muscles to recover. Dr. John Ivy from The University of Texas found that those who drink low-fat chocolate milk after a workout ended up with a three-pound lean muscle advantage over those who drank a sports beverage or water in the course of four weeks.

Whether it be helping you to recover quicker to train more or helping you replenish your muscles for them to become stronger, chocolate milk is a treat that is capable of improving performance in any exercise. For example, a study in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise showed that those who drank fat free chocolate milk after a workout ran 23% longer and had a 38% increase of building muscle over those who drank a sports beverage. 

Imagine if you were to put low-fat chocolate milk head to head with water or a sports beverage for a post workout drink, nothing would compare due to low-fat chocolate milk packing double the carbs and protein. Plus, what is better than absorbing all the nutrients you need to refuel up at your local grocery store? 

So, what do you say? Is chocolate milk going to be an item on your shopping list? It surely is on mine!