A New Year for the Dairy Industry

As the New Year started, I was able to visit two more schools to teach the children about the importance of milk and the dairy industry. They were very interested and they loved when I showed them the Happy Cow commercials. I was taken aback when I asked a third grade class, "does chocolate milk come from brown cows?" Almost every student (nearly 50 in total) raised their hands and told me, "Yes."  I explained to them that all milk that comes from a cow is white and the chocolate syrup (or powder) is what makes it chocolaty.  I also explained to the children the process milk goes through to get from the cow to the store.  The teachers were amazing and supportive, while the children were excited to ask questions and get involved.  It was a great experience for me and I hope the two schools enjoyed it as much as I did

The CMAB held a workshop to help some of the Dairy Princesses with school presentations.  I drove up with my alternate, Sarena, and it was a great learning experience, despite the rain and fog.  I had an amazing time getting to hang out with Sarena for the whole night and I think she would agree with me - we had fun time.  I was able to get new ideas for my presentations and get input from other Dairy Princesses on what they thought would be helpful for my presentations.  We split into groups and developed different games that the kids could play while teaching them about dairy products, the dairy industry, and the Real California Milk and Cheese seals.  It was very helpful and I'm glad I attended.

World Ag Expo 2010! I am fortunate that it is so close to home and I didn't have to travel too far, especially since the traffic around Tulare is horrid this time of year!  I attended the continental breakfast on the first day and introduced myself at the opening ceremonies, where I was able to meet the California Secretary of Agriculture, A.G. Kawamura, Assemblywomen Connie Conway, and see the California State FFA Officers. In the afternoon, I did a cooking demonstration with Doug MacMillan from Rosa's Italian Restaurant in Pismo Beach in the Women in Agriculture tent; we made Braciole, which is beef sirloin, rolled and filled with spice, fresh mint and garlic, and cooked in a tomato sauce.  It was AMAZING - melt in your mouth good!  During the two days that I was at the World Ag Expo, I worked at the CMAB booth with other Dairy Princesses handing out Crystal's Chocolate Milk and answering questions from attendees.  I was also interviewed for a dairy radio program and had numerous pictures taken. I even met a man from Holland and another from Germany.  When they call it the WORLD Ag Expo, they really mean it.  The World Ag Expo is a great way to see the leading technology and breakthroughs in the agricultural industry.  I would recommend anyone who hasn't gone before to go and see all the amazing things it has to offer.

I have a few more things coming up and I know I'm going to stay busy!

Warm Regards,

District 9 Tulare County Dairy Princess

Chelsi Faria