Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has signed a proclamation declaring the day “Fuel Up to Play 60” Day in recognition of the statewide commitment to child health and wellness at Wilbur Middle School in Wichita. Kansas Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman, former KC Chiefs wide receiver Eddie Kennison, KC Chiefs mascot KC Wolf as well as Midwest Dairy Council staff, Wilbur students and teachers joined the Governor for the signing.
Launched by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school health and wellness program that encourages kids to choose nutrient-rich food first, and get out and play for at least 60 minutes a day. It has activated more than eight million students in 70,000 schools nationwide, including more than 450,000 students in 1,261 Kansas schools to be healthy, get active and make a difference. Through Fuel Up to Play 60, Midwest Dairy has awarded more than $500,000 to schools in 10 states, including nearly $75,000 to Kansas schools, to help them jumpstart their wellness efforts.
“As dairy farmers, we have always cared about legacy and the importance of passing on a better future to the next generation,” said dairy farmer Steve Strickler, from Iola, Kan. “Fuel Up to Play 60 is a positive way to help Kansas students achieve better nutrition and fitness for life.”
More and more people in the dairy community are struggling because they are overworked or overstressed, have trouble concentrating, feel fatigued, have trouble sleeping, have more headaches and so many other symptoms.
The Meat Institute said properly prepared beef remains safe to eat and called for USDA and the CDC to provide worker safety guidance specific to beef processors to ensure workers are protected from infection.
The livestock industry needs a comprehensive, cohesive plan to address the virus. Producers, their employees and veterinarians need clear answers and support from U.S. agricultural leadership, moving forward.
USDA is now ordering all dairy cattle must be tested prior to interstate travel as a way to help stop the spread of HPAI H5N1. This comes a day after FDA confirmed virus genetic material was found in retail milk samples.
Patrick Christian life calling was away from the family farm, or so he thought. Eventually, he married his two loves together—education and dairy—and has used that to help push his family’s dairy farm forward.