Fitness on the Farm with Lansing Moms

Fitness on the Farm with Lansing Moms was an exclusive event for the executive team + contributors of the locally owned and operated parenting website Lansing Moms. Fitness on the Farm was planned and executed by the Michigan Beef Industry Commission in partnership the host farm family, G&G Cattle Company. 

The women who attended Fitness on the Farm do more than just write articles for Lansing Moms. They are out and about in their community connecting with businesses and individuals, sharing experiences, validating the IT of motherhood. Oh yeah, then they also handle the day-to-day for their families which involves FOOD. See where my job comes in?? For me, it’s events like this and connections with Lansing Moms that bring the best of both worlds together for me. I.e. Home and work collide!  

As if the event couldn’t have gotten any cooler, part-owner of G&G Cattle Co., Lindsay Green, just so happens to be a Lansing Moms contributor herself, as well as fitness and food influencer through her platform, Beef and Barbells.

Beef and Barbells was a concept she developed as a result of mis-information about food and agriculture being spread throughout the fitness community online. Her hope is that Beef and Barbells becomes a community where people feel empowered that their food supply is safe and healthy and they’ll go out into their communities where they work out and spread the word!

Thanks to Lindsay and her husband Gerald, we were able to host and execute all 3 parts of our Fitness on the Farm event right on their farm- and house! Lindsay opened up her kitchen [and grill] to prepare us her go-to recipe for lunch. 

3 Parts of the Fitness on the Farm Event with Lansing Moms

PART 1: FARM TOUR

One of the most favorite parts of my job as Director of Communications for Michigan Beef is to help build consumer trust in beef and beef production. And events like Fitness on the Farm help me do just that. FACT: I did NOT grow up on a farm or in the beef industry. ANOTHER FACT: I’ve been on multiple farm tours and farm-focused events during my 13 years as a BEEF industry employee. And while a VERY lofty goal of mine is to get each and every Michigander on a farm tour, the next best thing is sharing these experiences with you all online.

Experiences like Fitness on the Farm reinforce my beliefs that Michigan beef farmers and ranchers [actually, the majority of farmers and ranchers across the nation] have a long-standing commitment to caring for their animals AND the land they farm and ranch on. Why? Farmers and ranchers raise the same beef they feed their own families, so it’s no surprise that they want the best care for their livestock to ensure everyone has wholesome, safe, nutritious beef. Plus, 90% of farms across the nation are family owned and operated. In order for their livelihood to be carried on to the next generation, they must care for their animals and land. 

Here are a few other animal care facts I learned on the farm tour with the Lindsey:

• Farmers and ranchers develop and maintain herd health plans that follow good veterinary and agriculture practices based on scientific research.
• When transporting cattle, farmers and ranchers ensure they are handling the cattle in ways that minimizes stress, injury and bruising.
• Farmers and ranchers monitor key environmental control areas to manage feed and water resources while protecting or enhancing the environment. 
• Guess what guys? Lindsey and her husband Gerald went to school to learn how to farm more sustainably than previous generations. And thank goodness I get to not only enjoy the fruits of their labor but also talk about it for my profession.

The beef community has a long-standing commitment to caring for their animals and providing families with the safest, highest-quality beef possible. The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program trains farmers and ranchers on best practice cattle management techniques to ensure their animals and the environment are cared for. To learn more about BQA, visit the BQA homepage. 

PART 2: WORKOUT

Not as many pictures to share for this section folks. Mainly because I was working out [and keeping my phone out of the rain]. We were able to finish the workout in Lindsay’s basement! 

PART 3: WE GRILL! 

I just realized something in writing this post. Connecting with others is my superpower. 

I also love a good organization method when it comes to food prep. And apparently I also really like Lindsay and Gerald’s kitchen. Because once you scroll down you’ll see I didn’t leave a certain spot! 

A HUGE heartfelt thank you to the Green family, the Beef Commission, Lansing Moms, and pretty much any and everyone else that made this post possible. Without the opportunity to work on behalf of beef farmer’s and rancher’s some 13 years ago, this blog would not have been created. And I wouldn’t be here sharing my beloved beef experiences without that one job at the California Beef Council that led to today. 

So tell me what you think: Interested in a Fitness on the Farm event near you?! Curious about beef production? Comment below or send me an email right back from your inbox!