February 2012 Highlights « Back

Fuel Up to Play 60 in Nebraska

Fifty-three Nebraska schools were awarded funding from Midwest Dairy Association in the latest round of applications, totaling $179,459. These latest allocations mean that 65 Nebraska schools have received $228,209 since June. 

Former Husker and retired Kansas City Chief Will Shields visited three Nebraska schools in late December to reward them for their efforts in implementing Fuel Up to Play 60. St. John’s Nepomucene in Weston was the statewide winner of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Cooking Show Challenge. Program advisors Linda Maly and Nicole Speichinger received a 10-minute meet-and-greet with Shields as a token of appreciation for their leadership in implementing the program there. Dairy producer Lowell Mueller also spoke to the children at St. John’s about dairy farming and answered many questions.

Shields also visited Messiah Lutheran in Lincoln with dairy producer David Crook. They both participated with children in a hula hoop and jump rope contest. Finally, Shields visited St. Michael’s in South Sioux City, along with dairy producers Dwaine Junck and John Temme, to reward the students and thank them for their participation in Fuel Up to Play 60. All three events were great and enjoyed by all.

Other Nebraska Updates

The 2012 Nebraska Dairy Princess and runner-up will be selected during the 2012 Nebraska Dairy Convention March 13. The contest will be held at Divots Conference Center in Norfolk. This will be an all-day event beginning with the noon lunch and followed by interviews and contestant presentations in the afternoon. A formal introduction of the contestants and their escorts will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the banquet and coronation to follow. A $750 scholarship will be provided to the winner and a $250 scholarship to the alternate. Complete information and the application, which is due by March 2, is available at midwestdairycheckoff.com. For additional information contact Julie Meier, program coordinator, at 308-398-2165.

Don’t forget to register and attend the 2012 Dairy Convention on March 13 at Divots in Norfolk.  Along with access to several of your suppliers and a chance to visit with other producers, there will be information and updates about many of the dairy checkoff programs. I urge everyone with an interest in dairy to mark the calendar for that day.  The NSDA has additional information on their website at www.nebraskamilk.org. 

Beth Bruck-Upton, your Health and Wellness staff member working in Nebraska, and her husband welcomed a sweet baby girl, Kenli Jo Upton, into the world on Friday, December 16, at 7:57 a.m. She weighed seven pounds, two ounces, and measured 20 inches long. Mom and baby have been doing well and big brother Cooper is proud!