Happy MOO Year

HOLY COW!!!! Where has 2016 gone? It seems like yesterday we saying goodbye to 2015 and hello 2016. Now the time has come that we say good bye to this last year and hello to a new year. 2016 has been one crazy year at least for me it seems. For me days just seem to fly by like they just roll into the next unless I have a certain thing planned for that day. Now throughout all the craziness 2016 has brought it has gave me some of the best memories I could have ever asked for. So I will give you the top five in no particular order:
1. Being able to serve a third year as a Wright County Dairy Princess: It is funny to think that in April 2006 my sister officially passed on her crown to fast forward 10 years and I began my 3rd year. This reign in not over yet officially a big chuck of it is. It began welcoming 7 eager junior ambassadors (one being my niece) to the program to seeing 12 amazing young women being chosen as Princess Kay Finalist and seeing one them being crowned the 63rd Princess Kay of the Milky way. Spending June Dairy Month sharing my love and passion for all that dairy has to offer in our diets, hand out ice cream and cheese sticks, and reading stories about cows. I was able to make connections with everyone I met and become friend with incredible young women from across Minnesota who represent their hometown. I am able to learn about their communities as I share about mine. I could have asked for a better way to end 2016 as I was to continue to inform the public about cows, the farm, and dairy foods. This does not even tell it all:)
2. Being with my best friends everyday: Whoever said diamonds are a girls best friend never had a cow. The cows especially my show cows and the 5 I personally own are the one who can always cheer me up. I don't know where I would be with out them and they have changed my life. Even though out of my 3 cows only 1 had a heifer calf (the other 2 had bull calves). The 2 bulls have a very special place in my heart as I love them all since they all so cute. As a quote on Pinterest says "The bond between a girl and her cows is priceless."
3. Bleeding Green Since 1996: 4H has and always will be apart of me and who I am. 2016 has given me the opportunity to continue share my love for the program as a leader. I served a dairy bowl coach, Dairy Project Development Committee Superintendent, and volunteer as the office needs.
4.Dancing is a way of life: I had the privilege to continue to dance by being a dance teacher assist in the spring and now being a co-teacher. I love the opportunity to share this passion with the girls as I hope to inspire them as they inspire me every day.
5. Finding what I love to do: So many people ask me what I am going to do after college. Well first I have go back to college but I think I know what it is I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to inspire the youth of today to be the best you they can be and educate them on where their food really comes from that is while I want to go into elementary education. My nephew really helped rediscover this love as I helped teach him in the spring.

This isn't all of incredibleness God provide me in 2016. As another year comes to a close, I chose to have my own little movie night with GOD'S NOT DEAD 2. I highly recommend everyone to watch it and read the book as they are both very moving ( The movie brought tears to my eyes. So I will end with a quote from this movie "I would rather stand with God and be judge by the world than stand with the world and be judged by God" -Grace Wesley (God's Not Dead 2)

Dairy Fun Fact: The average American drinks 22 gallons of milk each year. Let me say this I am not average;)

God's Blessings and Happy New Year's,
Bethany Kozitka

Our Christmas card to you

My Herd: Clover, Monarch, Elsa, Milkshake
Sundae and Olaf

As Christmas day comes to close I reflect on what this day really means. Its more than the gifts, lights, and decorations. Its the time spent with family and the memories made but most of all it is the time to celebrate the birth of the Savior. As I think back to that night when there was no room in the inn for Mary and Joseph, I reflect on the all that happened on that glorious night. Though being denied a room and having to resort to a stable filled with animal, Mary and Joseph had faith throughout the entire journey to the birth of Jesus our Savior. There are many days I go about wishing I had the faith like them. They both had such strong faith in the words of the angels and God's Promises. The birth of Jesus provides us with a sense of hope, love, and peace.
As the family gathered and celebrated Jesus's Birthday, I have to think of all the farmers who woke up early to get the cows all milked before opening any presents. Dairy farm families work together every single day including holidays to provide us all with wholesome, nutritious, and delicious dairy foods. They don't mind working the holidays because for them the holidays are a another day when they continue to provide the world with nutrient rich milk. So to end this glorious day let me leave you with this Merry Christmas from my Herd to yours and that we may remember the true reason for the season and to always thank a farmer.

Fun Facts: 1. 1,008,451,158 cookies are left out for Santa on Christmas Eve and that calls for 84,037,597 sticks of butter.

 2. On Christmas Eve Santa drinks 137,000,000 gallons of Milk. To produce enough milk to fuel Santa it takes 17,125,000 cows.

God's Blessing and continue to support your local dairy farm families even during the holidays,
Bethany Kozitka
2016-2017 Wright County Dairy Princess

Famooily Traditions

Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays and seems to be one of the busiest. There is so much to do in such a short time. You have to buy the gifts, decorate the house, bake the goodies, send the cards and the list goes on and on. Some of my best memories are from Christmas time.
Every year we have this little red bird wall decoration fly around our house. It has a letter in its mouth so as soon as we hit December 1st he is off to deliver our letters to Santa by Christmas Eve. I remembered how scared I would get think he would not make to the sleigh. Because if he did not make it to Santa's Sleigh we would not have Christmas. Well every year he would always make it just in time for Christmas. Now seeing my nieces and nephew get just as excited as I did when I was their age is so much fun.
Another family tradition that is baking Christmas goodies. My mom's sisters and my girl cousins all used come to our house and we make dozens of cookies that day but now it is just my mom, my sisters, and I. Although this year I did not make cookies instead I did some DIY gifts for my nieces. The memories are something I always will cherish as one year I got in my head what a great idea it would be to make the candy cane cookies. My cousin helped me but lets just say as soon as I found they had peppermint in them knew I wouldn't eat them but in the end a gained some pretty great memories out of it.
One of my favorite Christmas memories of all is the year I got my play Kitchen from Santa. I remember my Grandpa coming to our house saying it was delivered to the wrong house. I was pretty excited to have a new and back then a cool talking kitchen. We still have it and my nieces and nephew just love it.
Overall Christmas is a time of celebrating with the ones you love and remembering the fond memories we have with the ones who are no longer with us. So Merry Christmas to all and here's a day filled with love, memories, and so much more.

God's Blessings and Merry Christmas
Bethany Kozitka

The Real Queens

The REAL Queens of my life

Okay so Cow Appreciation Day was on July 8. I really wanted to post something to show my love for my cows. Just as I began to think about how to share it a light bulb came on. I ask myself as a dairy princess who are the real queens. THE COWS of course. I may wear the crown but the cows are the reason I wear it. So I shared this picture of the cows 'wearing' my crown. I love each and every cow I work with and they never fail to put a smile on my face. Also every time I go in the barn they always remind me why I love promoting the dairy community and sharing my farms story. So as I may be just the Princess lets give a huge shout our The REAL QUEENS not only on July 8th but every day as they provide the world with wholesome and nutritious dairy foods.


God's Blessings and Continue to support your local dairy farm families,
Bethany Kozitka
2016-2017 Wright County Dairy Princess

American Farmer

Yesterday was a day that we took the time to celebrate our nation's 240th birthday. As I celebrated I was able to reflect on the impact of agriculture has had on this Great Country. I thought about what people who came to this New Land did to live. Majority of them grew their own food while providing food for others too. They milked cows by hand and collect the eggs every morning. They did not have the technology like we have today but they had the dedication and passion for it. You know what that is why I love agriculture being a part of my life because the passion and dedication for this way of life never changes. Growing up I hear stories from my grandparents about when they were kids. They milked the cows by hand and didn't have all the fancy tractors we see now. They knew what was expected of them and it was a family effort. Even when I visit nursing/assistant living homes I am fascinated by their stories of the good ol' days. Let me tell they are not afraid to say something about how easy we got it. The times have changed that is for sure but like I have said the passion and love is still the same. Agriculture has seen The US become a country, countless wars, depression, dust bowl, and so much more and it is still standing the test of time. So if you ate Thank a Farmer but if you ate in peace Thank a Soldier yesterday, today, and everyday.

It all starts with a family
Planting a little seed
Say a prayer that the roots grow deep
'Cause it's all grown naturally
Our home is here in the heartland
Where we work and earn these calloused hands
Generation of dedication and honor
The American farmer
There's new ways of harvesting
Same crops bigger machines
Working hard is an everyday thing
That's the way it will always be
Our home is here in the heartland
Where we work and earn theses calloused hands
Generations of dedication and honor
The American farmer
"American Farmer" Charlie Allen

Did you know? 16 of the United States Presidents grew up with an agricultural background.

God's Blessings and Continue to support your local dairy farm families,
Bethany Kozitka
Wright County Dairy Princess

Why I love what I Do

I know I have not posted in over a month so I am starting right now. I really hope to post a lot more. My plan is one post every week but if I can do more I will be very happy. So I began to think what should be the kick off post. I know. One of the most popular questions I get is about my farm which comes down to Why do I do what I love to do.

Ummm.... Growing up I was blessed with being able to grow up on the farm. I love being in the barn with the cows and of course the calves. My favorite job has always been feeding the calves. Seeing their reaction to my voice when I call their name is unforgettable. Just lessons of hard work, dedication, and caring for not only the animals but the land God has provide us to work with has reminded me to always cherish every moment on the farm.
Dairy Farm Families are very dedicated to the farm. They work 24/7 365 days every year. We don't get holidays, or many vacations because that is our lives. We live and breathe the farm. Now you may ask me how I can go all these events as dairy princess, dance, or 4H meetings. This is my answer to that question: I am still working with dairy in some way whether it is promote it to the general public, get my 60 minutes of physical activity while refueling with a glass of Chocolate Milk, help coach the county's dairy bowl team or help to plan a great dairy show for the 4Hers. If I am not on the farm I still like to incorporate dairy in my everyday life.
Next Farmers are some of the hardest workers I know. I grew up watching my grandparents, aunts, uncles, parents, and sisters doing every type of chore you can think of on the farm. I remember being up in the hay and straw barns when they would be unloading the bales. All the adults would carry the bales and putting them in a certain way. Then there was me just waiting for that one bale that needed someone to jump on it. Although most of the time I would escape to the house and help my grandma make her famous No Bake Cookies or just visit with her. Now I can no longer escape to the house even though there are days I still wish I could. I know that the hard work I put into the farm will only benefit not only as a person but as an advocate for agriculture.
As agvocate as I like to call it I share with others how on the farm we not care for the animals but also the land, Farmers are the caretakers of the land. The land plays a huge role in farm and because of that we strive to use it to the best of our ability. Here is a Fun fact: In 1960 one farmer could feed 26 people now we can feed 155 with less land and more people feed. I say that is pretty amazing. Now the animals are what really hold my heart on the farm. I love being able to watching grow and become apart of the herd. The cows are what keeps the farm the farm. They provide the world with wholesome and nutritious food. They care and love their babies as much as we love them. They are the reason I love what I do.
So as June Dairy Month comes to a close and July: National Ice Cream Month is here lets raise a glass milk to all the hard working dairy farm families across the USA who do what they love not because they have but because they want to.


God's Blessings and Continue to Support Your Local Dairy Farm Families,
Bethany Kozitka
2016-2017 Wright County Dairy Princess

Mother's Day on the Farm

Clover: One of the many
Great moms on the farm

In my family, holidays are so much fun. Just being able to spend it with my family is one of the best memories of my lifetime. Today we gathered to celebrate all the moms in the family. The moms in Kottke family are so inspiring. They all have loving spirits and are such great role models. I thank God for my mom, aunts, sisters, cousins, and late grandmas because of all they have done for me. Growing up watching them has been great and I continue to look up to them. Today I got to do more than just spend it with my family on the farm because I spend it with some 'Udderly Amoozing' moms: The cows. Watching each heifer grow up into beautiful mothers is breathtaking. Just on Friday

Rosie's Transformation Tuesday

my first photo on Instagram popped up on Time Hop. Of course it was of a calf and I had to take this now and then picture. Rosie has changed so much over the past 3 years and I can't wait until July to meet her baby. Also my nieces and nephew lead some of the heifers, since it is time to start training them for the county fair. It was so much fun and great to see their love for the dairy community grow. My one year old niece loves the cows and being in the barn so it no surprise when she could the lead strap and my nephew wants to be a farmer when he grows up. I love watching him follow my uncle around the farm.

Getting Annabelle already for the
fair

I have a story about today: On my way home from a day on the farm You Should Be Here by Cole Swindell came on the radio. Although I don't like one of the words in the song (just because it not who I am) I love the song. It always makes me think of my grandma. She was my biggest supporter and role model. It has been 3 years since she left this temporary home to be with our Heavenly Father and honestly I still wish she could be here. Everyday I wish I could share my new adventure for the day with her, about all the calves in the barn, and just talk about life. Whenever this wave of emotion comes over me I just remember she will always be with me in the best seat in the house: MY HEART.

Where's the Show Ring I am
Already.

So I hope everyone had the Happiest Mothers Day.

Farm Fact of the Day: A cow has her first calf at the age of two.


God's Blessings and Continue to support your local Dairy Farm Families by getting you 3-A-Day,
Bethany Kozitka
2016-2017 Wright County Dairy Princess

He is Risen

One of my favorite holiday is Easter. I love the time that I can spend with my family don't get me wrong but the main reason I enjoy Easter is the reason we gather. One of the best things I can think of is being able to celebrate what Jesus did for us. Every time I begin to even think about what happen so many years ago on that cross the only thing I can say is Thank you. Knowing God was willing to send His One and Only Son into the world to die for you and me is amazing. Through it all Jesus thought we were worth dying for and knows that each one of us is special. The best part is that He wants us to know that too. With saying that I have to mention an inspiration movie I saw for the first time today. Grace Unplugged really did show that we are special to God because we are His children. We don't have to change for the anyone or just the world in general. I loved the song You Never Let Go of Me because it so true. We can stray away from God's Plan and He will always be there waiting for us because He loves us and sent Jesus to die and rise again so we can live with Him in Heaven.

So here is to the most joyous time of the year saying: HE HAS RISEN HALLELUJAH!

God's Blessings this Easter and continue to support your local dairy farm families,
Bethany Kozitka

Spreading some Easter Cheer

This past weekend I was able to spend it spreading some Easter cheer to people at local stores by handing out bags filled with dairy goodness. Also I able to share the importance of having dairy on our table at not only the holidays but everyday. It is always a joy to share a love of mine with Wright County. This journey is one I kind of always knew I wanted to take because that thing of the little sister wanting to all that her big sister is. Well I never would have imagined the different opportunities I would be apart of and the huge impact the Dairy Princess program would have on my life. I say this because with the events this past weekend my public speaking skill have grown tremendous throughout my years in the program. There is still a lot that needs work but I know that having God on my side I can do anything.

God's Blessings and Continue to Support your local dairy farm families,
Your 2015-2016 Wright County Dairy Princess
Bethany Kozitka

My Valentines

Milkshake giving kisses

Now most people would think of Valentine's Day being about dressing up, roses, fancy dinners, and dates but I prefer being in my barn clothes and out in the barn. That is exactly how I spent my Valentine's Day this year. I would not have it any other way though. I love my cows and all the time I spend with them helps me remember why I love what I do as a dairy princess. It truly amazing to see the bond between you and an animal grow throughout the years. Being around the cows is a way of life, my passion, and my heritage. So I spent the day doing what I love with the best valentines this girl could ever ask for: MY COWS.


God Bless and Continue to Support your Local Dairy Farm Families,
Bethany Kozitka
2015-2016 Wright County Dairy Princess

Meet some of our calves

On our farm we name each calf born. It does not matter if they are a bull or heifer. How we like to name them relating to their mother or father's name, or time they are born (like holidays or seasons) but every once in awhile my uncle will come up with some unique names and we just go with it. Whenever I feed them I love calling their name and just seeing their reaction is priceless. So I would like you to meet some of our calves we have right now.

Bumbles:)

First let me introduce the newest addition, Bumbles. He was born on January 11, 2016. When he was born he weighed around 128 pounds so he is big for his age. His mother name is Honey so you can see how he got his name.




Thumbelina when she was days
old with my 1 year old niece.

Mini just days old being a
Princess

The next two are two of the characters we have on the farm. They were both born early. Thumbelina was born a month early and Mini Miracle was born two months early. So you can most likely tell how they received their names. Also they each have a nickname Thumbelina is Thumba for short and Mini Miracle is Mini. Thumbelina is from Yodelay and Mini is from Secret. They were both between 50 and 60 pounds at birth so compared to Bumbles they were and still are tiny. They are both doing just fine and are healthy heifer calves. These two have such great personality. Thumbelina is one you could consider a deep sleeper but I think now she is outgrowing it.  Sometimes she would be so a sleep you could just see her dreaming of drinking some nice warm milk. Another adventure we had with Thumba is when we brought her to my niece's school. She had a blast on the playground that she even wanted to go:) Now Mini she is a calf that has spunk. The best is when I run with her there times she will just take off and other times she just hang back and follow me.


Thumba is already for school

Thumba now 2 months old

RoyGBiv enjoying a bottle of nutritious milk.

Dairy Fact of the Day: The first milk a cow gives is called colostrum and provides the calf with antibodies which helps their immune system. Also a calf will drink two bottles at morning and night which equals about 1 gallon of milk.





God Bless and continue to support your local dairy farm families,
Bethany Kozitka
2015-2016 Wright County Dairy Princess

Happy National Milk Day!!!!

In my family, we love milk and other dairy foods. So when ever we hear about a day celebrating anything relating to dairy, it becomes a big deal. I think that is why I became so passionate for the dairy farm community. I love being able to share the story of milk and its journey to our tables.
     
      Today we start the day of right by welcoming a new bull calf to the world. He was born just this morning and as I am write this he is most likely standing. His mother's name is Honey and is of the many I exhibit at our county fair so of course I was hoping for a little girl. Instead we got a big baby boy who is named Bumble. I am so excited to meet him and pictures are sure to come. So let me leave you with this: Continue to support your local dairy farm families by getting your 3 servings of dairy everyday.

Milk Fact of the Day: Every serving of any dairy food  contains nine essential nutrients like Calcium and Vitamin D.



God's Blessings,
Bethany Kozitka
2015-2016 Wright County Dairy Princess