This past week was, to say the least, action-packed!
Day 1-3 ... FARMFEST!
Every single year, agricultural enthusiasts young and old gather at the Historical Gilfillan Estate on Hwy 67 between Redwood and Morgan, Minnesota. Labecca, Emily, Mike, Katie, Crystal and I all made the trip to work at the U of M booth handing out posters to those who were able to over come the infamous trivia wheel.
#1 question that was answered incorrectly:
#1 question that was answered incorrectly:
What animal is Goldy Gopher, the mascot , modeled after ?
a. woodchuck ... b. squirrel ... c. gopher... d. beaver 
... if you THINK you know it (granted not everyone had Internet at FarmFest to look up answers)... send me an e-mail at schmidtkirby@hotmail.com and the first correct answer will get a sweet prize!
Besides trivia, I took the opportunity to help the President of the Minnesota Farm Bureau, Mr. Kevin Paap, with serving Pork chops at the tent as well as flip a few pancakes at the free pancake breakfast sponsored by MNFB. They were delicious! Our team got to meet with Governor Tim Pawlenty and share some jokes. I had a great time reuniting with FFA members from across the state from: Dassel-Cokato, Springfield, Sleepy Eye, Hancock, Montevideo, Wabasso, Marshall, Tracy, HLWW, Buffalo Lake-Hector and Canby among others! These members were here to explore, help serve milk shakes, give farm safety demonstrations and serve pork chops.
I also met with many agricultural leaders, known and unknown including MDA Commissioner Gene Hugoson, 2004-2005 Minnesota State President Jeff Buyck and some younger people from Westbrook, MN that have redefined what it means to be an entrepreneur with their tasty, home-made barbecue sauce. 
Besides trivia, I took the opportunity to help the President of the Minnesota Farm Bureau, Mr. Kevin Paap, with serving Pork chops at the tent as well as flip a few pancakes at the free pancake breakfast sponsored by MNFB. They were delicious! Our team got to meet with Governor Tim Pawlenty and share some jokes. I had a great time reuniting with FFA members from across the state from: Dassel-Cokato, Springfield, Sleepy Eye, Hancock, Montevideo, Wabasso, Marshall, Tracy, HLWW, Buffalo Lake-Hector and Canby among others! These members were here to explore, help serve milk shakes, give farm safety demonstrations and serve pork chops.
I also met with many agricultural leaders, known and unknown including MDA Commissioner Gene Hugoson, 2004-2005 Minnesota State President Jeff Buyck and some younger people from Westbrook, MN that have redefined what it means to be an entrepreneur with their tasty, home-made barbecue sauce. DAY 4-6... LYON COUNTY FAIR/ FREEBORN COUNTY FAIR
The very first friend that I made, outside of Marshall, MN, and in the National FFA Organization was Logan Hansen from the Glenville FFA chapter. I met Logan at the Region Officer conference, POWER over 2 summers ago. Logan has been a great friend of mine and has always told me of the famous, "FREEBORN COUNTY FAIR!" I have never been there, but decided that this year would be the year. 
After getting home from FarmFest, I took time to go and hang out at my local county fair, Lyon County, with my fellow state officer , Emily. We had a good time judging, to ourselves, the dairy cows and sheep, watching the sheep show, checking out the FFA sponsored Children's Barnyard as well as visiting with FFA members. GOOD FUN! But it doesn't stop there, because the next day I was back on the road towards Albert Lea for the Freeborn County Fair, where I met Logan, his family and his friends. For just $13.50, I got to see Little Big Town in concert and enjoy a cool, refreshing Reese's blizzard. We watched a classic, The Goonies, later and got some sleep. The next day, we traveled to Kasson, MN for a softball tournament, grilling and a calm, clear swimming pool just waiting for someone to splash it via, the belly flop contest. (That would be me)
DAY 7-9...Metro Alumni Picnic, CHS Miracle of Birth Center, HLWW Lake Party, NRHEG Chapter Officer Visit!
Yes, I got home late on a Saturday night! On Sunday, I went to church with my family and then helped with a Whopper Feed fundraiser for a vocation (not vAcation) trip that I will going on with my church youth group to Rome, Italy. Then I was off, picking up Kirsten and Megan Thurk to make our trek to the Twin Cities. It was quite an interesting trip, and a ton of fun. I wish all of my trips in the car were that much fun. We, after several detours and lost-ness, made it to the Metro Alumni Picnic to reunite with the State Officer team and meet alumni members. That night we also had a campfire and roasted marshmallows at FarmHouse Fraternity, then took an adventure to a nearby playground and (literally) hung out.
The next day was the CHS Miracle of Birth Center training!!! Thanks to the Mid West Dairy Association's Sherry Newell and my aunt, Donna Moenning for putting together a great training session. Come see us at the fair!That night, I took a good 2 hours nap and then left with the team to Waverly, MN for the HLWW FFA Lake Party. We played beach volleyball, went swimming and made sand castles! I met a member:
Justin ...previously lived in Pennsylvania. He also is a member of the cross country team and plays in the Jazz band. Justin recently won the State Nursery Landscape contest and will be advancing to Nationals with fall! GOOD LUCK.
Justin ...previously lived in Pennsylvania. He also is a member of the cross country team and plays in the Jazz band. Justin recently won the State Nursery Landscape contest and will be advancing to Nationals with fall! GOOD LUCK.
On the last day, Tuesday, Labecca and I drove down to New Richland to visit the NRHEG FFA Chapter Officer Team. We helped them plan a new activity for this fall including a post Homecoming Game bonfire and fun night, hosted by the FFA Chapter. We hope all goes well!
Day 10... MURRAY COUNTY FAIR!
On the FINAL day of my crazy driving expedition, I drove down to the Murray County Fair to visit the FFA Barnyard there. However, when I got there, no FFA members were there :( I enjoyed the night talking with camp friends Sammy from Nicollet 
and Cody from Tracy. Congratulations to Cody, he exhibited the Champion Market Goat! I also got to meet some past and future FFA members: Jim, Cody's dad (2nd place National Swine Production) and his younger brother Kaleb. We made the following connection...
and Cody from Tracy. Congratulations to Cody, he exhibited the Champion Market Goat! I also got to meet some past and future FFA members: Jim, Cody's dad (2nd place National Swine Production) and his younger brother Kaleb. We made the following connection...Me- "I raise sheep just west of Marshall, we have Polypays."
Jim- "Hmm..."
Jim- "Hmm..."
Me- "Do you know what Polypays..."
Jim- "Yes, I used to own them.'
Me- "Oh, where did you get them? "
Jim- "You know, if you take the airport road past Marshall on 19 ? Yeah, just north of 19 I bought a nice buck from a lady with all of these books and records and..."
Me- "Lila Schmidt?"
Jim- "YEAH!'
ME- "That would be my mom..."
DAY TODAY... Whew! ... time to work with my sheep, State Fair is soon!!!
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