This past year was full of so many exciting new experiences, new friends and advocacy adventures along the way. I took a major step back from travel and speaking as we were in the process of adopting this summer. I stepped back into my role of advocating on a more consistent basis following our decision to not move forward with the adoption. This blog post is more of a diary for me to keep track of all the amazing opportunities I have had simply because folks like you follow along with our first generation dairy farm. So thank you for that!!
January–
I started out January with missing my flight to the CommonGround national conference. Turns out you need to check into your flight at least 30 minutes before boarding and they will not allow you to check in even if you missed it by two minutes. It worked out good as I would have been stuck with many other volunteers in a D.C. snow storm.
February– I attended and spoke at the AgChat Foundation’s Western Regional Conference in Reno, NV | How cool is it that I was featured as the Pink Tractor Cover Girl | Our youngest got to meet the Peterson Farm Brothers at the Spokane AG Expo.
March-Attended the Washington State Women in AG Conference
April– Farmer & I headed to Seattle for our annual young cooperative meeting as the president couple for our cooperative, Darigold | I was asked to join Huffington Post as a blogger | Featured on Thristy Land documentary premiere
May– Viral Facebook Video with my cow #308 | First blog posted on HuffPost | Our farm featured on the National Milk Producers Federation blog | Featured on the National Dairy FARM blog- Tackling Tough Topics: Euthanasia
June– Travel to D.C. on Behalf of Our Cooperative to Talk Dairy Issues with Representatives | Farmer & Our Daughter Featured in CommonGround Father’s Day Video | Featured on the North 40 blog about the fair | Featured on the Go Bold With Butter Instagram | Attended the Northwest Farmers Fighting Hunger Food Drive kickoff lunch for #TomsTurkeyDrive
July– Traveled to Oregon with the N.D. Soybean growers on behalf of the Center for Food Integrity to present and Engage training for other farmers | Finally got to visit Cloud Cap Farms in Boring, OR
August– Received an Award for My Advocacy Efforts from the Dairy Farmers of Washington | Assisted in Training Washington Dairy Farmers How to Advocate for Their Farm on Social Media
September– Joined U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance Digital Voices Team | Participated in Land O’ Lakes Delete to Feed | Featured on the North 40 Blog | Tom’ Turkey Drive Lunch with 2nd Harvest Food Bank
October– Attended the National Milk Producers Federation Annual Meeting | Featured on Progressive Dairyman Blog
November– Joined KREM 2 for Tom’s Turkey Drive
December– 2016 Cultivate & Connect Conference| Joined AgDaily
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Top 3 Blog Posts Viewed in 2016
Why Our Farm is Not Organic | Average Age of a Dairy Cow | Why Do Farmers Use Nose Rings on Cattle?
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I also became more active on Instagram this year. Here are my #BestOfNine photos of 2016.
Thanks for following along with our farm this year! Because of you, I have been able to do so many amazing things in taking telling our farm story beyond social media. <3
Krista Stauffer
Latest posts by Krista Stauffer (see all)
- Ensuring Quality and Safety: The Rigorous Inspection and Testing of Washington State Dairy Farms - May 6, 2024
- Understanding the National Dairy FARM Program: Ensuring Excellence in Dairy Farming - April 29, 2024
- The Importance of Nutrient Management Plans for Washington State Dairy Farms - April 17, 2024
- Homeschooling on the Farm: Cultivating Learning in a Rich Environment - April 11, 2024
