Name: Stephanie Kaiser, Secretary of Purdy FFA, Barry County, Missouri
Parents: Duane and Colleen Kaiser
What she does?
Feed bottle calves on her family dairy farm. She helps with the feeding of hay and grain and washes the barn. Stephanie shows Jersey and Guernsey cattle. She started showing Jersey in the Pee Wee Class as soon as she could walk. She was very active in 4-H for 10 years before she joined FFA. Stephanie has been showing only Guernsey for the last 2 years.
Why do you show?
When a family at the fair asked Stephanie what showing cows was all about, she explained it this way. “We are showing how much milk they can give. The more milk they give, the more product there is, like cheese, ice cream and other things that use the fat and protein.” She went on to talk about beef cows and profitability and preferring moderate sized cows. “The main reason being that the larger animals are using a lot of energy to maintain their body, need more feed and usually give less milk. Feed them more, get less milk, make less money – doesn’t make sense to me.”
Why are you a dairy farmer?
Stephanie is not one to stand by and let someone else do things. She told the story of overhearing a little boy ask his mother where milk came from. The mother said it came from right there in the dairy case. Stephanie thought, “No, I can’t let that go.” She went over and asked the mother if she could help her out on that question. She then told the boy that she lived on a dairy farm and they milked cows. She detailed the milking, cooling, hauling and bottling of milk.
Why is ag important?
“Agriculture is a very large part of the world, without it, we would have very little. People need to understand where food, clothing and other basic needs come from. Through agriculture we get what we need and help others get what they need.”
Fun fact: Guernsey milk has carotene in it. It has an orange tint to it.
Story and Photos by Leta Dunlap
