Country Acres South - June 3, 2023

Ward looks to win Princess Kay of the Milky Way

BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER

ST. CHARLES – Winona County

Dairy Princess Riley Ward loves chocolate milk so much that a couple track teammates brought it as a gift to her graduation party. The gift was appreciated, but the chocolate milk aficionado already had some at her party.

“Every single track practice we end up talking about chocolate milk,” Ward said. “It’s amazing for your (body) especially post workouts. It gives you so many benefits.”

Now, Ward will have new opportunities to share her love of dairy products as she was named a finalist for the 70th Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

Ward is the daughter of Randy and Minnie Ward. She lives and works on her family’s custom calf and heifer and dairy steer-raising facility where they work with 200 animals.

The dairy princess and athlete acts as a “big sister” to a couple of her track teammates, giving them rides and making sure they are eating properly.

“If they run out of chocolate milk, they have me stop at Kwik Trip so they

R

can grab some,” she said.

Ward loves running in the fields connecting with nature, something she sees as tying back to the farm.

As an athlete, nutrition is key for Ward. She spends time doing research to help determine her nutrient needs.

“(Some) runners tend to have eating disorders as well as body dysmorphia so it’s very important to me to maintain a healthy diet, especially when I’m active,” Ward said.

Ward also volunteers at her school with their Peer Helper Program. Peer helpers are specially trained to work with students who need a listening ear but who might not feel comfortable speaking with a school counselor.

Ward sees mental health as important in rural communities and beyond.

“It’s very important, especially for farmers, because I’ve seen a lot of people just pushing themselves way too hard,” Ward said. “Overall, it’s a big issue amongst all people. It’s just important to regulate yourself and know

how and when to stop and where your breaking point is.”

Ward sees a connection between good nutrition, including dairy, and mental health.

“No matter what you put in your body, it’s important that you maintain however much you’re supposed to receive,” Ward said.

Ward was at her elementary school auditorium supporting friends who were part of “Shrek the Musical” when she found out she was a finalist for Princess

Kay. She watched the video announcement on Facebook during intermission. Adding to the moment was the fact that her name was called last out of the 10 finalists. Though the announcement order was random, the nerves were not.

“I just started crying,” Ward said. “I couldn’t scream. I was in the middle of a theater and most people don’t know what’s going on. So, I just burst into tears.”

Ward page 2

ing

PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO Riley Ward feeds a bottle calf May 22 on her family’s farm near St. Charles. Feeding bottle calves is Ward’s favorite task on the farm.

Randy (from left), Riley and Minnie Ward smile together May 22 on their farm near St. Charles. The Wards operate a 200-head calf and heifer and dairy steer raising facility.

“

We all have something to learn from one another, It’s just about finding those commonalities that bridge us all together.

- Riley Ward “

SOUTH

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Ward from front

Ward was inspired in her journey as a dairy princess by her older sister, Aimee, and her mom, who both have remained active in the dairy industry.

“Being in this place and being able to almost represent them as well, that’s what made me cry,” she said.

As a dairy princess, Ward will connect with all ages. However, she is especially interested in connecting with the col-

lege-aged demographic because this demographic is beginning to make decisions for themselves and are the future employees, parents and politicians.

Ward said one of her strengths is her ability to both connect and involve others in large groups as well as communicate one on one.

“We all have something to learn from one another,” Ward said. “It’s just about finding those

commonalities that bridge us all together.”

On the farm, Ward is involved with whatever needs to be done. As a custom calf raiser, her favorite task is feeding bottle calves.

Ward and her family recently made an addition to their facilities. Their new calf barn is equipped with multiple automatic calf feeders, automatic waterers, fan ventilation and ammonia detectors.

Ward appreciates the facility because its technology helps give the

calves consistent feedings in a low-stress environment. Calves enter their facility once a week, ranging in age from a few days old to a week, from Prestud Dairy in Wisconsin.

Calves spend their time on the Wards’ farm in groups of approximately 20 to 25. Calves move through the barn from pen to pen through gates for lowstress transitions alongside their cohort. The calves return to their owners at 5 months old.

Ward page 2

PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO

Riley Ward pets a calf May 22 on her family’s farm near St. Charles. Ward was recently named a finalist for the 70th Princess Kay of the Milky Way.

Riley Ward pets a show heifer May 22 on the Wards’ farm near St. Charles. Ward is active in 4-H and is a Minnesota 4-H state ambassador.

calves.

(Right) A show heifer explores May 22 on the Ward’s farm near St.

Ward from page 2

Animal care is an important message Ward plans to share.

“Farmers treat animals with the same love and respect that you treat your household pets,” Ward said.

Outside the farm and her athletic endeavors, Ward is also active in 4-H. She is a Minnesota 4-H state ambassador, serving as committee project manager. In this role, she makes sure the 4-H ambassadors feel connected and that the various 4-H committees are communicating with each other.

In the fall, she is planning on attending the University of Minnesota-Duluth, majoring in business management and economics. She said she is looking forward to being part of a land grant university and staying close to the people she knows.

For Ward, being connected to the dairy industry as a dairy princess is well worth the investment involved.

“I’ve never met a farmer that I wasn’t able to instantly connect with,” Ward said. “To me, it’s one big community (where) we share this common goal to sustain and feed our nation. It’s home, and I want to give back to all those people that have made it my home.”

PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO

(Above) Calves gather May 22 in the new barn at the Ward’s farm near St. Charles. Ward appreciates the automation in their barn which allows for more consistency for their

Charles. As a dairy princess, Riley Ward wants to share about the excellent care cows receive on dairy farms.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Young Riley Ward works with a show heifer on her family’s farm near St. Charles. Ward said her inspiration to be a dairy princess came from her mom and older sister who have remained active in the dairy community.

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Capturing colors,

memories on canvas

Carlson brings her love of dairy to art

PINE

n f dair y to art

BY AMY KYLLO |

Y | STAFF WRITER

ISLAND

ND – From the grass un-

–

derfoot to a winning moment in the show ring to a portrait of a favorite cow, Danielle Carlson can tell a story with paint on canvas.

Dill

“I’m trying to get people to be able to see it and like feel … the moment or the place,” she said.

Carlson is an artist and member of the dairy community. She works part time as a relief herdsman at Sheeknoll Farms while being a stay-at-home mom for her and her husband Dave’s toddler, Joey. She grew up on her family’s dairy farm and worked there until they sold their cows in 2019.

“Without a dairy farm, (art) is the only thing I have that’s uniquely me,” she said.

Through her art, Carlson helps preserve memories for herself and others.

“It’s like you connect yourself to that moment and place again, even though it’s gone,” Carlson said.

Carlson draws on her experience for authentic details.

“When you’re painting a field of grass, … in reality it’s not perfect,” she said. “There’s weeds, there’s thistles, there’s spots where the cows peed and the grass grew twice as tall as it did elsewhere. … Because I know that I’m able to … tell a story with a brush.”

Recently, Carlson was commissioned by Jeannette Sheehan for an original painting. The painting is based off of a photo by Axel Hartmann. The pastoral scene depicts a large shade tree with a herd of cows at rest underneath in the grass. Carlson has done this scene several times, but this time, Sheehan had an idea for a twist: Instead of placing random cows in the painting, she asked Carlson to add famous show cows.

Carlson’s endeavor to add the limelight to the pasture was not without challenges including trying to figure out what one particular cow actually looked like.

“I saw on one cow sometimes the fitters had spray painted over a white spot,” Carlson said. “Some pictures she had this little white spot on the shoulder and then some pictures she didn’t.”

Sheehan will be donating the finished painting to be auctioned off at the National Holstein Convention in June during the annual women’s scholarship fundraiser.

Carlson’s work is characterized by vibrant tones, whether the colors are standing alone big and bold or shining out of the shadows of a white hue on an animal’s coat.

“You see colors if you start paying attention,” Carlson said. “You’ll look at the snow, there’s purples and greens and blues and pinks and yellows. … Otherwise, if you just color it white and gray, it’s just going to look nasty. But if you’d put all these reflections in there, all of a sudden, it’s got life.”

ning ffi

PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO

Danielle Carlson holds a watercolor painting of Jersey cows May 18 at her home in Pine Island. Behind Carlson is the professionally-tanned hide of her favorite show cow, Rockstar.

Danielle Carlson’s cow, Rockstar, looks out of a painting May 18 at Carlson’s home in Pine Island. Rockstar was a favorite show animal for Carlson, earning a place close to her heart.

Carlson page 8

Carlson from page 7

One of Carlson’s most treasured paintings is of her favorite cow, Rockstar. Rockstar was born a week late, and Carlson said she was worried the lateness meant it was a bull calf. She remembers her emotions moving from elation over the birth to sadness thinking the large calf lying beside its mother was probably a bull calf. Fortunately, the large calf was a heifer.

Rockstar excelled in the show ring and became dear to Carlson’s heart. Today, her living room features a large painted portrait of Rockstar on one wall and Rockstar’s custom-tanned hide on the other.

Carlson has a lifetime passion for art.

“When most kids quit scribbling things, I kept doing it,” she said.

Carlson page 9

(Above) Danielle Carlson works on a detail of an oil painting May 18 at her home in Pine Island. Carlson’s technique is to use oil paint over a quickly done, acrylic background painting.

(Left) A watercolor painting of a foal nestling close to the mare lays May 18 at Danielle Carlson’s home in Pine Island. Carlson enjoys painting horses.

PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO

A peaceful atmosphere radiates off a painting May 18 at Danielle Carlson’s home in Pine Island. Jeannette Sheehan commissioned Carlson to make the painting which will be auctioned at a scholarship benefit.

Carlson from page 8

Some of her paintings capture memories, while most are simply beautiful animals like horses, which she enjoys painting, or nature. She has also dabbled in customizing Breyer horses and doing taxidermy. In college, Carlson, a dairy science major, took art classes as electives. After college, she took a break from art for around a decade. Farming full time alongside her dad and grandpa on their 75-cow dairy consumed much of her energy.

“You don’t need an outlet for all of that creativity because you have to apply it when you (have to) figure out how to fix things and make things work (on the farm),” she said.

When they sold their cows in 2019, she began to give time to art again besides working on other dairy farms.

Carlson uses watercolors when she needs her art to be portable. For most of her pieces, she uses a combination of acrylic and oil paints. She has developed a system of quickly making a background painting using fast-drying acrylics. Then, she comes in with oil paint and uses her artistry to create the fine detail, rich colors, shadows and variation on top of the acrylic.

“With oils, you can change the tint on something and have it be so thin that you can just totally change the color without losing any of the shadows and everything that you’ve

put on,” she said. “I could turn that cow purple in five minutes if I wanted to.”

Carlson uses an image projector to help sketch the outline for many of her paintings or to replicate a piece she likes.

Carlson is interested in painting commissioned work. Her own walls are getting full so she has slowed down the amount of painting she is doing. She charges a flat rate by the square inch.

In the future, Carlson wants to simply keep making art. She has a special understanding of the transitory nature of physical ability. Her mom, who also enjoys art, has carpal tunnel syndrome and is unable to hold a pencil. Her brother was in a serious car accident and now cannot use his right hand.

“My only goal is to still be able to do it,” she said.

PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO

Danielle Carlson’s painting studio stands May 18 at her home in Pine Island. Carlson has been doing art since she was a child.

A lake scene hangs May 18 at Danielle Carlson’s home in Pine Island. Carlson’s only goal is to be able to continue her art and not have to stop because of physical limitations.

Simpson from page 12

Finally, in fourth grade, with her blue-ribbon money from the fair and the money from the sale of the wethers, Simpson bought a pair of does. They were lower quality, but Simpson was stubborn and wanted to be able to buy the goats entirely herself in spite of her parents’ offers to help.

Over the years, the meat goat herd has become a family affair, with several family members purchasing goats for themselves as well. Their combined herd numbers around 40.

Simpson was working goats with her family when she heard she was a Princess Kay finalist.

“We all watched as a family,” she said. “Afterward, we were like, ‘Awesome. OK, let’s get back (to work).’ … My phone was blowing up.”

When announcing the finalists, they began by describing each finalist vaguely to build anticipation before moving into more specific details and then finally announcing the name.

“They said, … ‘This princess grew up helping her grandpa,’” Simpson said. “I knew right away.”

This summer, Simpson, who is in her second year of being a county princess, will be appearing at events across Olmsted County including Olmsted County Breakfast On the Farm, Dairy Night at the Honkers game, day care visits and more. Her goal for the summer is to continue to grow in her outreach skills.

“I want to work more on getting adults to have a conversation and initiating that conversation with adults instead of waiting for them to ask questions,” Simpson said.

Simpson is going into her sophomore year at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, where she is studying animal science in the pre-veterinary track. Currently, she has been helping with dairy research at ISU which provides experience for her to share with the public.

“Dairy farmers are always working to be progressive,” Simpson said. “I know this because I’m involved

in research, and that works to make cows’ lives better.”

As she looks to the future, she is considering getting a Ph.D. in ruminant nutrition, tying her love of dairy cows and goats together. Her dream is yet one more way Simpson is choosing to stay connected to the community she loves so much.

“It’s helped me grow, and it’s been such a huge part of who I am,” Simpson said. “That’s kind of why I want to keep involved.”

PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Several kids walk through their pen May 17 on the Millers’ farm near Pine Island. Anne Simpson found out she was a finalist for Princess Kay of the Milky Way while working with the goat herd alongside her family.

On the TRAIL again

Davises prepare for 35th annual Friendship Wagon Train

BY HANS LAMMEMAN STAFF WRITER

BYRON - For John and Monica Davis, each June is a time to gather with friends, celebrate their wedding anniversary and journey more than 100 miles by horse and wagon to raise funds for Minnesota Special Olympics.

The Davises founded the Friendship Wagon Train in 1988, a week-

long journey with a different route every year through southern Minnesota and occasionally portions of northern Iowa. The annual tradition has amassed a loyal following of trail riders participating in the charitable event from their wagons, mules and horses.

This year, Friendship Wagon Train riders will meander through 112 miles of secondary roads from Zumbrota to Hous-

ton, Minnesota, beginning June 24. Monica anticipated the event would draw about 60 riders from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.

“We’re kind of like a big family; you get to know each other,” Monica said. “After spending a whole week on the road together, you see all sides of people through the

SATURDAY -

heat, rain, wind, everything.”

The wagon train is rooted in charity, initially dedicating funds to programs for children and adults with disabilities such as Camp Winnebago, Camp Courage, Camp Friendship and Camp Eden Wood. After several of the organizations closed or changed own-

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

A line of Friendship Wagon Train participants travels down a dirt road. Wagon train participants travel from several states nationwide to participate in the annual event.

Monica and John Davis ride in their wagon behind two blonde Belgian horses as part of the Friendship Wagon Trail. The couple founded the event in 1989.

A sign stating ‘Proudly Married’ sits on the rear of John and Monica Davis’ wagon in June 1994. The couple founded the Friendship Wagon Train in 1989.

Davises page 15

Friendship Wagon Train participants follow the trail on horseback.

(Right)

Davises

from page 14

ership, the couple adopted Minnesota Special Olympics as the event’s beneficiary.

Monica estimated the ride raises between $20,000 and $25,000 for charity each year, which is turned over to Minnesota Special Olympics representatives at a ceremony on the final day of the journey.

The Davises coordinate with local organizations in the towns they pass for meals and campsites along the way.

“John and I set up all the campsites in the towns,” Monica said. “We make arrangements in every town (with) groups like Alliance or the American Legion; we’ve had Jaycees in the past and churches. They prepare breakfast, lunch and an evening meal

for us.”

The trail riders typically spend nights in fields and on fairgrounds but occasionally camp in town or on safe community streets. The seven-day journey at an average traveling pace of about 3.5 mph provides a unique view of the Minnesota countryside that the couple said cannot be replicated from a vehicle on the highway.

“When you’re in the normal world, you’re just whizzing by,” Monica said. “When you’re on the horses, you can look around and see what’s really out there.”

In addition to providing an excuse to meet with friends and enjoy the views from their wagon propelled by two blonde Belgian horses, the story of the Friendship Wagon Train is inseparable from that of the Davises.

The couple celebrated their wedding on

the trail in 1994 during the sixth annual wagon train. A local TV station caught wind of the wedding and aired it on the 10 o’clock news that night, a surprise John praised for bringing attention to the charities they supported.

The two Friendship Wagon Train founders welcomed a second generation into the tradition with their sons, Joshua and Dustin, who tagged along as young as 6 months old. More recently, a third generation of Davises joined the wagon train as John and Monica’s oldest granddaughter made the trek with them.

While the Davises are ready to relinquish the responsibility of organizing the event, Monica said they are

happy to continue leading the trail riders until an heir apparent emerges.

“My husband and I (have) run it for so long, we’d kind of like a break,” Monica said. “Nobody has stepped up and taken the reins, so to say, but we don’t want to see it end either. So, I think (we’ll lead the event) until we can’t anymore.”

Wednesday, June 21

John and Monica Davis pose together after getting married during the Friendship Wagon Train in June 1994. The Davises celebrate their wedding anniversary during, or just after, the annual trail ride.

John and Monica Davis travel down a dirt road in a wagon displaying the Friendship Wagon Train logo. The trails change yearly with past routes through southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

The organizers expect 50-60 participants in this year’s event.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Monica and John Davis pose together wearing Friendship Wagon Train shirts. Along the route, shirts are sold and list all of the towns traveled through that year.