Earlier this summer I was given a copy of The Dairy Good Cookbook, courtesy of the Midwest Dairy Association, to share with my blog readers. I didn’t give it away during June Dairy Month or July Ice Cream Month. I finally forced myself to part with it yesterday on “National Just Because Day”!

Honestly, I’ve had a hard time parting with my copy. If you get your hands on this cookbook, I believe you’ll see why. Each page showcases beautiful photographs and stories about real U.S. dairy farmers from California to Vermont. The chapters and recipes in this cookbook are aligned with a typical day on a farm from Sunrise Breakfast to After Chore Snacks and Sundown Suppers.

There is even information about different breeds of dairy cattle, such as country of origin and strengths of each particular breed. Did you know that Brown Swiss are the oldest dairy breed, dating back to 4000 B.C.? They produce milk with high butterfat and protein content, which appeals to butter and cheese-makers. I especially enjoyed reading about the “Wow Cows” of each breed. For example, Snickerdoodle is the most decorated Brown Swiss of all time. She’s been named Grand Champion of her breed six times at the World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin. She also has been named the Supreme Champion, or best of all dairy breed, at the Expo plus she finished second overall two other times.

I honestly wanted to keep reading – and turning the pages for the next human interest story or cow feature article. I learned a great deal, but I didn’t feel like I was reading a textbook. In fact, I’d like to try every single recipe in the book! (I even toyed with the idea of channeling Julie in the movie, Julie and Julia. I could blog about each recipe as I made it… these recipes are certain to be easier than anything Julia Childs would have made.)

The subtitle of this cookbook is “Everyday comfort food from America’s dairy farm families,” and it lives up to its name! The ingredients listed are those that I can find in my local grocery story. However, the recipes put a new twist on traditional farm family fare like BBQ Chicken and Veggie Packets, Pumpkin Date Stack Cake with Mascarpone Frosting and Apricot-Dijon Pork Chops with Potato Pancakes and Herbed Sour Cream. YUM! Doesn’t this just make you look forward to fall?

In anticipation of autumn, I decided to share with you one recipe from The Dairy Good Cookbook that would make a great after school snack for your kids or an energizing snack for your harvest crew. Plus, it requires only three ingredients. What’s not to love about a recipe that’s both simple and delicious?

P.S. Click here for 10 Good Reasons this “Down to Earth Dietician” says you should pick up your own copy of The Dairy Good Cookbook.

Guest post by Darcy Maulsby

Not many people take up cooking at age 80, but it made perfect sense for Marvin Meyer. There’s just one problem, says this retired farmer, community leader and innovator who lives on the same Sheffield-area farm where he was born in 1925.

“While I like figuring things out, I’d also like to get a good night’s sleep and not always be dreaming about ways to innovate!” said Meyer, 90, who lives in the house he built in 1951 on his family’s Century Farm east of Sheffield.

The ability to figure things out has long defined Meyer, who worked at Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield for 17 years. “When I started fixing my own meals about 10 years ago, I could hardly boil water,” said Meyer, who began developing his culinary skills after his wife, Anna Mae, moved to a local care center. “I’ve really surprised myself by learning to do all this cooking, which I enjoy.”

Working smarter, not harder
Meyer also enjoys reminiscing when he’s not cooking, tending his garden or baking his famous Chocolate Crinkle Cookies that he takes to the care center when he visits Anna Mae.

“I was always been interested in making things and finding a better way to get jobs done,” said Meyer, who farmed with his older brother, Paul, after graduating from Sheffield High School in 1942.

Years ago Meyer rigged up a small motor, crank, sewing machine belt and tricycle wheel to churn butter. Then there was the time in the mid-1940s when he saw a welder for sale in Popular Mechanics magazine.

“My dad helped me order my own welder, which was shipped by rail to the Sheffield elevator,” recalled Meyer, who used the welder to fix things for the neighbors. “I still have that welder back in the shed. “

Dad traded 60 sheep for a tractor
Innovation is a trait that runs in the family, said Meyer, who recalled how his father, George, purchased a WC Allis Chalmers in 1937, complete with a power lift to raise and lower implements. The tractor, cultivator and plow cost about $1,000 from a local implement dealer, who took in 60 sheep on trade from George to help pay the bill.

A progressive farmer, George was one of the first in his neighborhood to have a single-row corn picker pulled by horses, added Meyer, who can remember when Sheffield boasted an Allis Chalmers dealership, an International Harvester implement store, four filling stations, three banks, four grocery stores, a shoe repair shop, jewelry store and department store.

It was a great day when electricity came to the farm in 1938, Meyer noted. “Some of the first things we got were an electric milking machine, an electric washing machine and an electric motor on the cream separator. Electricity cost $3.50 for 40 kilowatts, and Dad said he didn’t want us to use any more than that.”

Don’t think too small
Through all the changes he’s seen, Meyer remains connected to the community he’s called home for 90 years.

He served on the board of the ag cooperative in Sheffield for 17 years, including seven years as board president. A few years ago he served as the co-chair of Relay for Life in Sheffield. “I’ve survived colon cancer twice, along with a double bypass,” said Meyer, who has had high blood pressure since he was in high school. “I just keep bouncing back.”

What’s his secret? Don’t think too small, advised Meyer, who continues to dream big and challenge himself. “Life is just plain good.”

“Dish This!” is a competition held annually during the Franklin County Fair in which 4-H members showcase Iowa-grown food products. Contest categories include: Appetizer / Snack, Salad / Side Dish, Main Dish, Bread and Desserts.

One might think a member of the county’s Kitchen Krew 4-H specialty club would have an advantage of the competition, but don’t be so quick to assume! Ben Reinke, a second year member of the Outdoor Adventures 4-H Club, swept yesterday’s “Dish This!” competition at the Franklin County (Iowa) Fair. He won a purple ribbon in each category he entered: Desserts, Entrée and Breads. He earned a fourth purple ribbon for Best Overall Dish in the Junior division with his ham balls. 

In addition to ham balls, Ben made Apple Cinnamon Rolls and Peach Ice Cream. “I thought of what my favorite meals were and then picked dishes based on that had the most Iowa grown products,” he said.

The peach ice cream, appropriately enough, came from a Ben & Jerry’s® cookbook. Not many people associate Iowa with peaches, so this recipe helps draw attention to the fact that are peaches grow here. However, Ben explained he had to use Georgia peaches for this competition because Iowa peaches are not yet ready. His peach ice cream recipe also incorporates the Iowa food products of cream, milk and eggs. In fact, Ben raises his own farm-fresh eggs.

Not only is this dessert recipe delicious, but all the ingredients are easy to find. You can treat an entire family to homemade ice cream for a total cost of $5.25, which Ben calculated is just $0.65 per serving. Today Ben has allowed us to share his favorite ice cream recipe on TheFieldPosition.

This was the first year Ben took any 4-H projects to the fair, and he spent countless hours preparing them. His efforts were rewarded when his educational poster about Farm Fresh Chicken Eggs was selected for the Iowa State Fair. His Wheat poster/exhibit project was considered for state fair. He also won blue ribbons for a patch quilt that his grandma helped him make from blue jeans and for a welded garden art flower.

Enjoy some of the best foods from the county fair at home. July is National Ice Cream month after all! Ben’s peach ice cream is featured below. Click here for more ice cream dessert recipes:

• Buster Bar Dessert
• Rice Krispies Ice Cream Dessert
• Ritz Cracker Ice Cream Dessert

Time-Saving Tip… Scroll to the very end of each post above to find the featured recipe.