Skip to Main Content

Celebrate National Dairy Month with homemade ice cream

"Dairy farmers work tirelessly every day--not only to feed their own families but to feed yours as well…Producing milk for the world promotes good nutrition, creates sources of income and increases food security,” explained Kylei Klein, a senior studying agricultural education at Purdue. “I’m amazed when I think about how farmers are willing to work that hard for me when they don’t even know who I am.”

Klein’s interest in dairy farming has persisted for as long as she can remember, thanks in part to time spent at her grandparents’ farm. “I’ve been helping there ever since I’ve been able to hold a bucket without falling over,” she recalled.

“The Dairy Club is where I found my family at Purdue. It’s been an amazing experience, not just because I’m passionate about dairy. The people genuinely want to make a difference. To not only help and educate our members but the community around us.”

 

Kylei with a cow in the farm
Kylei heads into the show ring at the Wayne County Fair where her family has been showing cattle since 1954.

The club works with organizations like FFA, 4-H and College Mentors for Kids, a program that invites students to campus after school. Klein and her colleagues open conversations through lighthearted activities, such as making ice cream.

“It’s important to start those connections at a young age, and I think the best way to do that is through sweet treats,” said Klein. “I get to talk about cows while giving students ice cream. Who doesn’t love that?”

“One thing I want to make sure we help people understand is that dairy farmers love what they do and they love their animals,” shared Klein. “On our farm, our cows are our top priority. They get fed every morning before we get breakfast and every night before we have dinner.  They are part of our family.”

Entering her senior year, Klein has given much thought to how she might continue her work in the industry. “I want the opportunity to make somebody smile every day in my job. I want the chance to leave the world a little better than it was before I got here. And I want to educate and advocate for the dairy industry. However I get to do that, I’m excited to give it a try.”

How to Easily Make Ice Cream in a Bag

Easy Homemade Ice Cream in

5 Ingredients and 5 Steps

Ingredients:

  • Milk 1 cup
  • Vanilla 1 tsp.
  • Sugar 2 tbsp.
  • Ice (at least 4 cups)
  • Salt ¼ cup (Rock salt may improve results) 

You’ll also need:

  • 2 Plastic bags (1 large, 1 small)
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Instructions:

  • Combine milk, sugar, and vanilla in the smaller bag.
  • Seal the bag, removing as much air as possible.
  • Combine ice and salt in the larger bag, then place the smaller bag inside.
  • Shake the bag for 3-5 minutes, or longer if necessary

Enjoy!

Kylei and "Baby Bonnie Calf" Kylei and "Baby Bonnie"
Kylei and and friend Bottle-feeding baby calves Bottle-feeding baby calves outside Eskenazi Hospital where the Purdue Dairy Club visits staff and patients every year.
Kylei Klein and her father working Kylei Klein and her father working with show heifers on Father's Day.

Featured Stories

Dog outdoors drinking water
Keeping your pets safe during the dog days of summer

As temperatures and humidity rise across the U.S., Candace Croney, director of the Center for...

Read More
Sonling Fei in front of digital trees
Digital forestry can help mitigate and prevent wildfires

The National Interagency Fire Center reports that, as of this writing, 19,444 fires have burned...

Read More
Researcher uses pipette on parsley plant
Researchers examine nanotechnological methods for improving agriculture

Nanoscale particles could potentially help address agricultural and environmental sustainability...

Read More
Diane Wang gathers plant data with a student.
Fields of Discovery: High school students join Purdue professors in research

High school students join Purdue professors to learn about research opportunities in agriculture...

Read More
a tractor spreads gypsum across a field and a soil probe has a sample of six inches of a dark brown soil in the metal tube
How Purdue researchers and the USDA are finding ways to bury carbon beneath our feet

Soils are a rare win-win when it comes to burying the carbon released from burning fossil fuels....

Read More
Wilford tends to Gracie the cow.
Fields of Discovery: From track to trough— leaping into research

This summer, Rieko Wilford is making big leaps researching methane emissions; on the track,...

Read More
To Top