Mitch Daniels, Contributing columnist of Washington Post, June 11, 2019 wrote in his article  “In farm children, I see virtues that one sees too rarely these days” 

“Along with the rise of women and the expansion of civil rights, the most important social transformation of America’s first quarter-millennium has been the triumph of modern agriculture over famine and the ceaseless, backbreaking effort simply to feed one’s self that had been the dominant fact of human life throughout history. Most of those who preceded us lived their entire lives on the farm. A little more than a century ago, a third of all Americans were farmers.

At the Indiana State Fair, held on grounds now surrounded by inner-city Indianapolis neighborhoods, urban kids can witness, in person, the birth of pigs and calves. Once I asked a boy who had arrived at the fair on a school bus from across town, “Do you know where milk comes from?” He said, “Sure. The grocery store.” A couple of hours later, he knew better and just maybe had a little sense of awe and gratitude for the work and skill it takes to fill that grocery store.

The distance that has opened between the producers of our food and the beneficiaries of their hard work, and between rural and urban Americans in general, has been sadly apparent in our politics and popular culture. More than tolerance is in order. Some true appreciation, and even some emulation, would be helpful right now. There’s a lot to learn down on the farm.”

This article was very relevant to some 4-H members at 4-H Camp in 2019.  A Barren County 4-H leader, had begun a new career for the Southeastern Dairy Council, as the educational instructor teaching youth about Dairy cows, dairy products and production.  The Barren County 4-H Youth Development Agent invited her to bring her dairy cow and program to 4-H Camp to provide an Ag Awareness program.  The first night a corral was set-up for “Becca”, the dairy cow, behind the boys bathhouse.  The next morning the 4-H Agent ask the boys if “Becca” had kept them awake.  Their response “That horse kept us up mooing all night!?!" It was time for a lesson from down on the farm!!!  The Barren County 4-H leader provided a true learning experience on where milk comes from and the 4-H’ers even got to learn to milk her by hand!!! All 380 4-H’ers had an opportunity to learn a very valuable lesson about animal welfare, ag production and a mooing experience.