Sure, it’s a chore, but farm life offers opportunities
I had a conversation with my adult daughter recently about growing up on a farm. She told me she didn’t…
Read MoreThere are several other ways to be different in your treat giving this year while supporting dairy and other local producers.
It’s hard to believe Halloween is under a month away. If you’re anything like me, all of the candy and pumpkin spice everything in the stores looks delicious, but is overwhelming! Also, I never know what types of candy kids are into these days either. Sour, gummy, chocolate? If this seems familiar to you, I have several ideas to make this Halloween season unique and healthy, all while supporting local farmers.
While children seem to enjoy receiving candy, it is typically all that they get, so a change in treat might be just as enjoyable for them as the receiver, as it is for you the giver this season!
Ever since a couple of years ago as I was preparing for Halloween, I had the idea I wanted to be able to incorporate my love for the dairy industry into my Halloween treat, to not only provide a different type of treat for the kids, but more often a healthier treat, all while advocating for, sharing and supporting the farm industry. That year in particular I handed out yogurt tubes, pudding cups and string cheese. All of these items were a huge hit with the children! Many of the kids had them opened as soon as they received them. Not only do these types of treats serve as an easy snack while out trick or treating, but they can also easily be put in lunches throughout the week following Halloween. In subsequent years, I’ve switch it up a it and have done individual bottles of milk paired with cookies or granola bars.
As a dairy producer, I tend to incorporate dairy however and whenever possible. But there are also several other ways to be different in your treat giving this year while supporting other local producers. Some ideas for that include: apples, flavored honey sticks, apple cider chugs, or even pair up with a local farm market and provide coupons to be redeemed for a bakery item, ice cream pint, etc. Not only are these very unique treats for the kids, but local producers are also being supported and their business name and product are getting more circulation.
Many children and their families are not directly related to farms. With that, I feel it is extremely important to do whatever we can to support the individual farmers and the products they produce and sell. Not only are we supporting individuals and their families who dedicate their lives to feeding us, but we are also helping to bridge the gap on informing consumers on where these products come from.
Some children may never get the chance on their own to go pick farm fresh apples, or get a specialty flavored milk chug, but if we provide these products for them, or vouchers to go get them, it may be the perfect opportunity to open the door for educating on farm to table.
I had a conversation with my adult daughter recently about growing up on a farm. She told me she didn’t…
Read MoreWatching my 10-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter learn essential life lessons through our small farm and 4-H involvement fills me with pride.
Read MoreTo manage these times, I like to prioritize meal planning, scheduling and time to relax.
Read MoreGiving the Group Member Spotlight to Schwartz Farms! Find out how Schwartz Farms and Westfield Specialty Grain make an impact on agriculture in our community.
Read MoreHere is my list of the top four most unique agricultural experiences in my life.
Read MoreA gardening Q & A related to planting date, fertilizer recommendations and other general gardening questions.
Read MoreThere is a lot of helpful information on the Trumbull County Auditor’s website to help you understand what is going on.
Read MoreThe presence of hundreds of farmers in downtown Columbus, filled with determination to advocate for their livelihoods and communities, served as a powerful reminder of the importance of our grassroots efforts.
Read MoreI thought it would be interesting to ask consumers with no daily agriculture experience four questions, and see what they really have questions and concerns with.
Read MoreUnderstand the rules, restrictions around open burning in Ohio.
Read More