Celebrate our 20 years in the Fair industry!

We are celebrating our 20th year in 2012 in the fair industry and we are so excited!! And to show our appreciation to the fairs and people who have helped us grow we are giving discounts on our banner rentals and purchases!! From December 12 to February 29 our banners will be 20% off the purchase price or banner rental. This is a way for us to say thank you for the years of memories on the road at the fairs. Make sure to get your orders in soon there is a 3-5 week turn around on all purchase orders. We look forward to seeing everyone on the road in 2012 and helping us celebrate 20 years!!

Banners on display at Cow Palace 2011

Happy Holiday & Thank a Farmer!

Happy Holidays and this is so true!! While counting your blessings don't forget to count the farmers in!

WOW 5 years down.... so many to go

Its amazing how many things can change yet stay the same in 5 years. It has been 5 years since Barn Tours (now AGademics) has been under new ownership. I am very happy to see this company grow and I am very glad I can continue the tradition of teaching the public about agriculture. I am just as passionate as I was the first day I started to work for Barn Tours over 11 years ago. WOW that seems like a lifetime ago. I still remember going to my first fair as a tour guide and my first fair as an owner and talk about 2 different experience I will never forget.  I appreciate the hard work and foundation that was laid before me and I can't wait to see wait the next level is waiting for us. We have had our up and downs in the last 5 years and learned alot of lessons. The fair industry is an ever changing industry and agriculture is steady so it is a hard balance. But seeing the light bulb turn on when that person you have been talk ing to about agriculture gets "it" and that is what I feel is rewarding. I truly believe if you can teach somebody one thing new about agriculture then I have done my job. And I LOVE my job!!!!!
I can only imagine the future for AGademics  and I hope it is as bright as the last 5 years as an owner.

National Farm- City Week Nov. 18-24

Has Thanksgiving approaches and we give thanks to those who provide for us, it's also a time for us to celebrate Farm to City week. Farm-City is a national organization that is trying to build the bridge between the two. The organization is a great resource on agriculture education information and materials in bring into the classroom or into events. I suggest everyone check it out and test your agriculture knowledge with their quizzes, www.farmcity.org. I know I plan on celebrating this week and keep an eye out on our facebook fan page and twitter for new fun facts about agriculture. 

Fashion meets dairy farming

 I have to share this great clip about the fashion world meets the dairy world. I know so many of us in the farming industry try to stay on top of fashion but these execs are the other way around. These execs of Manolo Blahnik have entered into the dairy farming world. Its a great look into the future of farming and maybe it will inspire others.
http://www.cbs.com/shows/the_early_show/video/2167669656/manolo-blahnik-execs-take-on-dairy-farming

World EGG day - Oct. 14

Well World EGG day is coming up and what a better day to start your day off right with eggs for breakfast. Now I know I'm not the most excited person about eggs for breakfast, I like to put everything in them but once I do they are yummy. I thought I would share some of my fun facts about eggs as well as my favorite recipe using eggs.

Fun Facts: 

An eggshell has roughly 17,000 pores on it

White shell is from a hen with a white earlobe

Brown shell is from a hen with a red earlobe

It takes 26 hours for a hen to make an egg

One day out at room temp. = one week in the fridge

Average hen lays 250-270 eggs a year

USA produces roughly 75 billion eggs annually

China produces roughly 390 billion eggs annually (1/2 the world's supply)

 

 My Favorite EGG recipe is: Breakfast casserole with Sausage!!! YUM-O 

• 6 slices bread, cubed
• 1 pound sausage, browned, drained
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 8 each eggs, beaten
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon, salt
• pepper to taste

Preparation:

Cube bread and place evenly in greased 9x13 pan or baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with sausage and cheese. Mix eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over ingredients in pan. May cover and chill overnight. (if left overnight, remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before baking). Bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees or until set. Cut into squares to serve.
Serves8 to 10

National Apple Month

October is National Apple Month. And as they say "A apple a Day keeps the Doctor away" and they are a tasty treat. Most people think that apples in October mean bobbing for apples or carmel covered apples for Halloween. Apples can be used for so many things: juice in the morning, cider at night, pie for dessert or with applesauce next to a pork chop. I always love a good carmel covered apple from the county fair.

Here are  some fun facts about apple for National Apple Month:

2 pounds of apples = 1 9inch pie

2500 varieties of apples are grown in USA

Apples are grown in all 50 states

Apples are a member of the Rose Family

Largest apple ever picked weighed in at 3 pounds

A peck of apples weighs: 3 pounds

A bushel of apples weighs: 42 pounds

Average size of American apple orchard = 50 acres

It takes 36 apples = 1 gallon of cider

Apples are #2 most valuable fruit grown in the USA

7500 varieties of apples are grown world wide