Exeter-Milligan Superintendent Paul Sheffield (left) and
Friend Superintendent Dave Krause explained the Purple Ribbon Meat Program and
their respective districts during a dinner on Friday, August 11.
The
Purple Ribbon Meat Program. It’s a win-win for area farmers along with Friend
and Exeter-Milligan students. The students get fresh, locally grown beef
and the farmers and other business owners get both a tax donation and the
satisfaction of knowing area students are served high quality meat.
Area
business and community leaders, along with donors who participated in the
program last year, were invited to hear all about the Purple Ribbon Meat
Program on Friday, August 11, 2017 in Exeter.
After
enjoying a sample of meat from the Purple Ribbon Meat Program, Superintendents
Paul Sheffield, from Exeter-Milligan, and Dave Kraus, from Friend, spoke about
the benefits of the program.
Sheffield
noted that all of the beef served to students in both districts is from the
beef donated. “It’s great to have fresh beef to serve. It takes around
six or seven cattle to feed both schools. We do reserve some of the beef
for raffles to help raise funds for processing.”
The
program has been brought to Friend and Exeter-Milligan in conjunction with the
Friend FFA Boosters. Spearheading the program in Friend are Paul Segner,
Joel Weber and Scott Vyhnalek and at Exeter-Milligan are Kevin Songster and
Eric Milton.
Kraus
noted that the program has been “very easy to adapt to and not a challenge at
all on the school side of things. A lot of schools have started this
program and been successful. Now schools are calling us to see how the program
has worked.”
Kraus
added that his daughter, a senior this year, has noted the quality of the beef,
“It sure makes a difference. They can tell a difference and we sure appreciate
it. It’s been a great first year.”
Talia
Goes, representing the Nebraska Cattlemen, spoke for a few moments. She
was thrilled with the response in the Friend and Exeter-Milligan districts,
“Each program is a little different. We take pride in the fact that local
cattle producers are taking part and getting involved in bringing agriculture
back in the school system.”
According
to Goes, in 2015, over 70 schools in Nebraska were participating in the
program. She projects that by the end of the school year over 100 will
participate.
On
the school side of things, the kitchen staff is definitely on board with the
Purple Ribbon program. Exeter-Milligan’s head cook, Lori Ruhl thinks, “It’s
great. The kids really like it. They especially like the grilled
hamburgers. The kids know it’s local beef and that seems to help them
enjoy it more.”
Since
Exeter-Milligan has opted out of the government assistance program their
options are little broader and they can include pork, as well.
Kevin
Songster, one of the organizers from Exeter-Milligan also spoke and thanked the
participants, “The kids are benefitting. We have seen some great support.”
He
reminded the audience that a raffle during the Exeter-Milligan and Friend
football game will give away two pigs to support the Purple Ribbon Meat
Program.
Sheffield
closed the program reminding the audience that the program “helps on budget.
What is served to our kids is 100% locally raised beef.”
One
requirement that the government places on any beef served to students is that
it is processed in a USDA facility. The closest USDA facility is in
Henderson. Sheffield noted that the first appointment for beef is August
24th. He encouraged “anyone interested in donating either
animals or funds to the program can contact me or Mr. Kraus and we would love
to help them.”
