This post is sponsored by Midwest Dairy
On a toasty evening in September, my family and I had the opportunity check out Night At The Moovies put on by Midwest Dairy at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead. Midwest Dairy pulled out all the stops on entertainment and education both- and boy did we milk it (see what I did there?)!
Midwest Dairy had a delicious line up of food trucks, all featuring various dairy delicacies. My son got the Kansas City Mac and Cheese (the classic topped with BBQ brisket), and it was delicious! Under the Midwest Dairy tent, they had games, giveaways, and a darling photo op that turned the kids into ice cream cones. We made our way through the farmstead, making a special stop at the Midwest Dairy milking station inside the big white barn. I love how this is in the same space as where the real cow, Starbuck, is milked daily. If you haven’t gotten a chance to take your kids to see this yet, GO! It is truly an inspiration to pumping moms everywhere.
I have never gotten to chat with a dairy farmer about what he or she actually does. It was awesome to have this opportunity to learn alongside my kids about the process from farm to store. In this day and age of instant gratification, I loved for my kids (and myself) to learn about the actual work put in to have the carton of milk in our fridge. It doesn’t just appear, it’s a process.
I was able to visit with a local farmer who helps run her family’s farm. In our conversation, I assumed by the hours she put in that this was her day job. I was mistaken! She works full time as an engineer and is a mom of two. My jaw about hit the floor. Her work ethic and pride for what she does was so evident.
In addition to visiting with actual dairy farmers, getting a crash course refresher of the health benefits of dairy was helpful, as well. The key role dairy plays in gut health, immunity, energy, and even muscle repair are just some of the reasons to have it as a staple in our diets.
As an animal lover, the care that the dairy cows receive is important to me. Learning about the cows’ environments, feeding, and veterinary care was reassuring to me, as I feel these sweet animals deserve the best after they give so much to us.
The night ended with a movie under the stars at one of our favorite Kansas City places. It was the perfect balance of education for my kids (and myself!) and having fun while doing it. They had no complaints about the complimentary Hiland milk and cookies, and can’t wait to go back to visit the cows at Deanna Rose. Personally, I came away from this evening with a greater appreciation and understanding of the role dairy plays in our lives and the pride farmers have in being a part of it.
