WEBVTT 00:00:10.489 --> 00:00:13.369 Welcome back to the Bullvine Podcast, your source 00:00:13.369 --> 00:00:16.870 for stories that milk more than just cows. Today's 00:00:16.870 --> 00:00:19.910 episode is one for the books. Ever met someone 00:00:19.910 --> 00:00:22.489 who traded a world -class Holstein herd for a 00:00:22.489 --> 00:00:25.370 life -changing mission in Tanzania? Buckle up, 00:00:25.410 --> 00:00:27.710 because Mark Yeasel's story isn't just about 00:00:27.710 --> 00:00:31.370 dairy farming. It's about faith, family, and 00:00:31.370 --> 00:00:34.350 rewriting what it means to make an impact. From 00:00:34.350 --> 00:00:36.929 breeding elite red Holsteins to building grass 00:00:36.929 --> 00:00:39.630 -roofed barns for orphans, Mark's journey will 00:00:39.630 --> 00:00:42.049 make you rethink how dairy expertise can change 00:00:42.049 --> 00:00:44.649 lives. We're talking slick genes in the African 00:00:44.649 --> 00:00:47.710 heat, 800 eggs a day, and a radical decision 00:00:47.710 --> 00:00:50.990 that left the dairy world speechless. Let's dive 00:00:50.990 --> 00:00:53.929 into how one man's yes became a lifeline for 00:00:53.929 --> 00:00:57.770 over 130 children. Stick around. This isn't just 00:00:57.770 --> 00:01:00.520 a podcast episode. It's a call to action for 00:01:00.520 --> 00:01:04.000 anyone who believes dairy can do more. Let's 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:06.299 get started. You know, in the world of dairy, 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:10.159 we see a lot of folks making moves, maybe tweaking 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:12.659 their feeding programs, perhaps investing in 00:01:12.659 --> 00:01:16.599 some shiny new robots, even taking the plunge 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:18.260 into a different breed sometimes. Sure. Those 00:01:18.260 --> 00:01:20.019 are the kinds of shifts we talk about regularly. 00:01:20.319 --> 00:01:22.780 Incremental changes, strategic moves. Exactly. 00:01:23.469 --> 00:01:25.430 But every once in a blue moon, something comes 00:01:25.430 --> 00:01:27.909 across your desk that, well, it makes you do 00:01:27.909 --> 00:01:30.590 a genuine double take. And that's precisely where 00:01:30.590 --> 00:01:32.390 we're headed on this deep dive. Couldn't agree 00:01:32.390 --> 00:01:34.209 more. We've been digging through the details 00:01:34.209 --> 00:01:38.230 of a truly extraordinary shift from someone who 00:01:38.230 --> 00:01:41.760 wasn't just involved, but, you know. deeply respected 00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:44.599 within the U .S. dairy landscape. It's a story 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:46.920 that really gets you thinking about, well, the 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:50.040 potential reach of our expertise and the unexpected 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:53.219 ways it can be applied. Absolutely. We're talking 00:01:53.219 --> 00:01:55.439 about Mark Easel, the man behind J. Bob Holstein. 00:01:55.480 --> 00:01:58.939 For three decades, he was crafting a Holstein 00:01:58.939 --> 00:02:02.040 breeding program that was a real standout. It's 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:05.159 a serious force. Really renowned. Yeah. I mean, 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:07.859 when you look at the numbers, over 40 homozygous 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:11.120 polled animals, more than 120 polled total, and 00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:14.360 another 120 plus red cattle, you're talking about 00:02:14.360 --> 00:02:17.439 significant genetic progress. A major investment 00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:21.180 in time, effort, genetics. Right. And then he 00:02:21.180 --> 00:02:23.539 sells the whole darn thing. The whole operation. 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:25.699 It's not just, you know, thinning the herd or 00:02:25.699 --> 00:02:28.699 a partial dispersal. It's complete exit. The 00:02:28.699 --> 00:02:30.900 complete dispersal. And that kind of decision, 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:34.039 it signals a monumental life change. And the 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:37.240 why behind it is what really grabbed my attention, 00:02:37.379 --> 00:02:39.919 made me want to delve deeper. Mine too. You'd 00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:41.900 maybe expect someone to sell up, maybe head for 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:44.439 Florida, perhaps dabble in a different kind of 00:02:44.439 --> 00:02:47.000 agriculture stateside. Something like that. Retire, 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:49.780 maybe. Nope. Mark decided to sell his entire 00:02:49.780 --> 00:02:53.060 top -tier operation to start a dairy farm for 00:02:53.060 --> 00:02:55.719 orphans. In Tanzania. Tanzania. Yeah. We're talking 00:02:55.719 --> 00:02:57.979 about impacting the lives of more than 130 kids. 00:02:58.800 --> 00:03:00.819 It's just a move that stops you in your tracks. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:03.879 It certainly does. And his reasoning, as he put 00:03:03.879 --> 00:03:07.319 it, was so straightforward and, well, powerful. 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:10.259 What was it he said? He said, no, what would 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:12.539 be crazy is to believe God tells you to go do 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:15.580 something and tell God no. Wow. Yeah. That's 00:03:15.580 --> 00:03:17.599 a statement that really sets the stage for understanding 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:19.939 his conviction, I think. Okay. So let's unpack 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:22.400 the before picture a little bit. Okay. Before 00:03:22.400 --> 00:03:25.620 Tanzania, Mark wasn't just any dairy farmer. 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:29.539 His J -Bob heard. boasted a rolling herd average 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:32.580 RHA, for those maybe newer. The key metric, yeah. 00:03:32.699 --> 00:03:35.979 Right, key metric of productivity of 27 ,641 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:39.180 pounds of milk, which is huge. That's a serious 00:03:39.180 --> 00:03:42.039 number. And the components were, well... Nothing 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:45.419 to sneeze at either. 4 .1 % butterfat, hitting 00:03:45.419 --> 00:03:48.699 1 ,128 pounds. Over 1 ,100 pounds of fat. And 00:03:48.699 --> 00:03:52.560 3 .25 % protein at 898 pounds. And get this, 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:54.960 a somatic cell count SCC, you know, that indicator 00:03:54.960 --> 00:03:57.419 of milk quality and utter health. Crucial. Of 00:03:57.419 --> 00:04:01.240 just 140 ,000. Wow, that low. Yeah. Those are 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:02.740 the kind of numbers that put you firmly in the 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:04.560 elite category. No question. Absolutely. That 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:06.460 level of production combined with such a low 00:04:06.460 --> 00:04:10.000 SEC, it speaks volumes. It says superior genetics, 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:13.180 meticulous management, the whole package. Right. 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:15.759 He wasn't just producing milk. He was breeding 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:18.879 for excellence in health and output. Yeah. Really 00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:21.100 focused. And his influence went beyond his own 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:23.519 farm gate, too. That's right. He was heavily 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:25.420 involved with the Red and White Dairy Cattle 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:27.860 Association. Had a real pulse on the industry. 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:31.730 Very active. He even played a pivotal role in 00:04:31.730 --> 00:04:33.790 connecting them with U .S. livestock genetics 00:04:33.790 --> 00:04:36.470 export. This wasn't someone on the periphery. 00:04:36.470 --> 00:04:39.269 He was a well -respected and, frankly, influential 00:04:39.269 --> 00:04:41.689 voice. Which just makes this transition all the 00:04:41.689 --> 00:04:43.709 more remarkable, doesn't it? It really does. 00:04:43.910 --> 00:04:45.810 It's not someone, you know, casually involved 00:04:45.810 --> 00:04:48.310 in dairy deciding to try something new. This 00:04:48.310 --> 00:04:51.910 is a seasoned professional, deeply entrenched, 00:04:51.949 --> 00:04:54.930 very successful. Talk of his game. Making a complete 00:04:54.930 --> 00:04:58.459 life pivot. And it's driven by this profound 00:04:58.459 --> 00:05:01.500 sense of purpose. It's fascinating. So what was 00:05:01.500 --> 00:05:04.240 the initial spark? What set this whole incredible 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:06.759 journey in motion? You might be surprised. It 00:05:06.759 --> 00:05:09.500 goes all the way back to Sunday school, 1995. 00:05:10.060 --> 00:05:11.980 Sunday school. Apparently, there was an exercise 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:13.660 where people wrote down things they enjoyed. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:16.620 Mark wrote, international travel. Seems pretty 00:05:16.620 --> 00:05:19.319 common, right? Sure. A lot of people enjoy that 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:21.639 or aspire to it. But then came the unexpected 00:05:21.639 --> 00:05:24.759 question. What if God asked you to give it up? 00:05:25.720 --> 00:05:28.240 Okay. Mark's initial thought, he recalled, was 00:05:28.240 --> 00:05:31.740 affirm, absolutely not. You know, fair enough. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:35.220 Understandable reaction, perhaps. But as life 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:37.879 sometimes has a way of doing, things shifted. 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:41.079 Just four months later, he felt a strong calling, 00:05:41.199 --> 00:05:44.420 a real pull to resign from his leadership positions. 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:48.139 Four months. That's a pretty rapid and significant 00:05:48.139 --> 00:05:50.759 change of heart. Isn't it? It really underscores 00:05:50.759 --> 00:05:53.480 the power of that internal shift. It's one thing 00:05:53.480 --> 00:05:55.300 to have a fleeting thought, but to act on it 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:57.800 so concretely, stepping away from established 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:00.769 roles, that speaks volumes about the depth of 00:06:00.769 --> 00:06:03.490 that. Incredible. And it's worth noting his wife, 00:06:03.550 --> 00:06:05.910 Joy's support in this, that kind of partnership, 00:06:05.930 --> 00:06:07.689 it's often the bedrock, isn't it? Especially 00:06:07.689 --> 00:06:09.970 for a decision of this magnitude. Oh, absolutely 00:06:09.970 --> 00:06:12.810 crucial. He even described how his sort of general 00:06:12.810 --> 00:06:15.670 desire for international travel was replaced 00:06:15.670 --> 00:06:17.689 by a specific desire to travel internationally 00:06:17.689 --> 00:06:20.350 for service. A complete reorientation. Total 00:06:20.350 --> 00:06:23.829 reorientation of priorities. Now, the project 00:06:23.829 --> 00:06:26.709 that has become his focus is called Eternal Families 00:06:26.709 --> 00:06:30.420 Tanzania. And it's not your typical institutional 00:06:30.420 --> 00:06:32.680 orphanage, which I think is a really crucial 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:35.199 distinction to make here. Yes, that's important. 00:06:35.339 --> 00:06:37.279 The model they've embraced is quite innovative 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:40.220 and, you know, arguably far more conducive to 00:06:40.220 --> 00:06:42.459 the well -being of the children. How so? Well, 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:45.379 instead of a large impersonal setting, they've 00:06:45.379 --> 00:06:49.060 established actual family units. Each home has 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:51.579 dedicated parents providing consistent love, 00:06:51.839 --> 00:06:55.589 care, a stable environment. Like a real family. 00:06:55.750 --> 00:06:57.689 Right. It's inspired by a place called Caminal 00:06:57.689 --> 00:07:00.129 Felix in Romania, which Mark had visited some 00:07:00.129 --> 00:07:02.230 years ago. Yeah. The whole idea is creating that 00:07:02.230 --> 00:07:04.170 essential family structure. Which is so vital 00:07:04.170 --> 00:07:06.370 for kids who've often experienced significant 00:07:06.370 --> 00:07:09.209 trauma and instability. Exactly. And the scale 00:07:09.209 --> 00:07:11.350 of what they've built is, well, truly impressive. 00:07:11.709 --> 00:07:14.230 They already have 10 houses in their first village. 00:07:14.410 --> 00:07:17.209 10 houses. Wow. And they're actually in the process 00:07:17.209 --> 00:07:19.870 of constructing a second village. Goodness. That's 00:07:19.870 --> 00:07:22.800 serious commitment and growth. It is. And it's 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:24.360 not just about providing housing. It's about 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:27.379 fostering long -term sustainability for these 00:07:27.379 --> 00:07:30.360 families. The farm operation plays a huge role. 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:33.279 The farm. Right. How big is it? It's a 120 -acre 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:35.439 operation. Okay. Decent size. Yeah. And they're 00:07:35.439 --> 00:07:38.459 growing crops like corn and watermelon, essential 00:07:38.459 --> 00:07:41.759 food sources. They're raising tilapia in fish 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:45.319 ponds. Adding protein. Good thinking. And producing 00:07:45.319 --> 00:07:49.110 800 eggs daily. 800 eggs a day. That's a significant 00:07:49.110 --> 00:07:51.350 step towards self -sufficiency right there. It 00:07:51.350 --> 00:07:54.209 really paints a picture of a holistic, well -thought 00:07:54.209 --> 00:07:56.829 -out approach, doesn't it? It does. Very integrated. 00:07:57.129 --> 00:07:59.550 And the decision to integrate dairy farming into 00:07:59.550 --> 00:08:02.029 this model is, of course, what resonates most 00:08:02.029 --> 00:08:05.050 with us in the dairy world. Naturally. Mark mentioned 00:08:05.050 --> 00:08:08.050 that the idea to sell his renowned herd and establish 00:08:08.050 --> 00:08:11.250 this dairy in Tanzania, it actually came to him 00:08:11.250 --> 00:08:14.029 quite clearly on a flight home from a trip. Just 00:08:14.029 --> 00:08:17.319 like that. On a plane. Apparently so. Talk about 00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:19.720 a light bulb moment at 30 ,000 feet. That's a 00:08:19.720 --> 00:08:22.040 pretty pivotal moment, isn't it? To have such 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:24.680 a distinct vision and then crucially to act on 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:27.379 it with such determination. Yeah. And the fact 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:29.620 that his wife, Joy, was immediately supportive. 00:08:29.920 --> 00:08:32.299 Right back to that partnership. It really underscores 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:34.440 their shared commitment and understanding. That 00:08:34.440 --> 00:08:37.379 kind of unwavering partnership must be invaluable 00:08:37.379 --> 00:08:39.419 when you're embarking on something like this. 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:41.639 Absolutely essential, I'd imagine. Now, setting 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:45.960 up a dairy in Tanzania. Yeah. isn't exactly like 00:08:45.960 --> 00:08:48.340 setting one up in, say, Wisconsin or California, 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:50.860 is it? No, not at all. Different world, different 00:08:50.860 --> 00:08:53.539 challenges. Tabora, where Eternal Families is 00:08:53.539 --> 00:08:56.440 located, it sits at an elevation of around 4 00:08:56.440 --> 00:08:59.679 ,000 feet. And the temperatures fluctuate between 00:08:59.679 --> 00:09:02.750 about 58 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Pretty much 00:09:02.750 --> 00:09:05.909 year -round. So heat stress is definitely a factor 00:09:05.909 --> 00:09:08.830 to manage. Not extreme heat always, but consistently 00:09:08.830 --> 00:09:11.649 warm. Right. That presents a whole different 00:09:11.649 --> 00:09:13.690 set of challenges for dairy productions. You 00:09:13.690 --> 00:09:15.870 can't just transplant established practices. 00:09:16.190 --> 00:09:19.269 Definitely not. Mark clearly recognized the need 00:09:19.269 --> 00:09:22.250 to adapt to the specific local conditions. The 00:09:22.250 --> 00:09:24.429 barn design, for instance. Oh yeah, tell me about 00:09:24.429 --> 00:09:26.769 that. Well, incorporating a grass roof for natural 00:09:26.769 --> 00:09:31.340 cooling. It's a brilliant example of... Blending 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:33.700 maybe traditional methods with modern needs. 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:37.340 Low tech, but highly effective for managing heat. 00:09:37.519 --> 00:09:39.820 Smart. Very practical. And they're not overlooking 00:09:39.820 --> 00:09:41.919 the crucial aspects of herd health either, are 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:43.440 they? No, it seems like they're on top of it. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:46.179 Implementing biosecurity measures like wheel 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:49.360 dips for vehicles, foot baths for visitors. Doing 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:51.539 that right from the start is so important. Especially 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:53.990 with diseases like foot and mouth. East Coast 00:09:53.990 --> 00:09:56.470 fever. Those can be devastating in those regions. 00:09:56.649 --> 00:09:58.669 Absolutely. It shows a proactive, responsible 00:09:58.669 --> 00:10:01.649 approach to animal health, learning from others' 00:10:01.750 --> 00:10:04.409 experiences and putting prevention first. It's 00:10:04.409 --> 00:10:06.590 clear he's not just relying on his past Holstein 00:10:06.590 --> 00:10:09.309 experience in a temperate climate. He's actively 00:10:09.309 --> 00:10:11.909 learning and adapting. What really struck me, 00:10:11.929 --> 00:10:14.350 though, was Mark's attitude towards the local 00:10:14.350 --> 00:10:17.370 Tanzanian community. He emphasized the importance 00:10:17.370 --> 00:10:19.830 of building genuine relationships, of learning 00:10:19.830 --> 00:10:21.850 from their knowledge before implementing his 00:10:21.850 --> 00:10:24.750 own ideas. Yeah, he even made a point of saying, 00:10:24.850 --> 00:10:27.490 too many people judge others in countries like 00:10:27.490 --> 00:10:30.429 Tanzania as stupid. It is far from the truth. 00:10:30.629 --> 00:10:33.389 They have fewer opportunities. That's a profoundly 00:10:33.389 --> 00:10:37.070 insightful and, frankly, respectful perspective. 00:10:37.450 --> 00:10:39.590 Isn't that? It speaks to a level of cultural 00:10:39.590 --> 00:10:41.789 humility and understanding that is absolutely 00:10:41.789 --> 00:10:44.529 essential for any successful international endeavor, 00:10:44.789 --> 00:10:49.200 recognizing and valuing local expertise. It's 00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:52.320 not just respectful. It's key to long -term sustainability 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:55.779 and building trust. So true. Okay, so when it 00:10:55.779 --> 00:10:58.960 came to actually selecting the cattle, you might 00:10:58.960 --> 00:11:01.179 naturally assume that someone with Mark's background 00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:03.960 in elite Holsteins would, well... Start with 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:05.820 Holsteins. Yeah, that would be the obvious guess. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:08.080 Right. But he took a very pragmatic approach. 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:10.720 He recognized that getting Holsteins there might 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:13.259 be difficult, maybe costly initially. Logistics, 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:16.120 acclimatization. Yeah. Lots of factors. So they 00:11:16.120 --> 00:11:17.980 made the practical decision to start with a foundation 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:20.240 herd of five Jersey cows. Which makes a lot of 00:11:20.240 --> 00:11:22.379 sense, actually. Strategically sound. Why do 00:11:22.379 --> 00:11:24.279 you say that? Well, Jerseys are generally known 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:26.460 for their adaptability to warmer climates, their 00:11:26.460 --> 00:11:28.720 efficiency, you know, milk production relative 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:31.480 to body size. Plus, they often fare well on a 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:33.879 wider range of feed resources, which might be 00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:35.960 more readily available locally. Good points. 00:11:36.179 --> 00:11:39.919 But. The top -notch Holstein genetics haven't 00:11:39.919 --> 00:11:43.059 been entirely left behind. Oh, how so? Mark actually 00:11:43.059 --> 00:11:46.080 retained 23 embryos from his prized Red Pole 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:49.720 donors. Ah, okay. From the J -Bob herd. Exactly. 00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:53.000 And these were sired by slick bulls, which... 00:11:53.320 --> 00:11:55.559 for listeners maybe not familiar, is a genetic 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:58.139 trait that helps cattle develop shorter, sleeker 00:11:58.139 --> 00:12:00.620 hair coats. Better heat tolerance. Great. Makes 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:02.399 them better able to regulate body temperature 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:05.620 in hot environments. So he's now actively seeking 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:08.100 a local partner to serve as recipients for these 00:12:08.100 --> 00:12:11.159 embryos. Wow. So the vision is? The vision, he 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:14.759 paints it, is a J -Bob prefixed cow grazing in 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:17.700 Tanzania that's red, polled, naturally hornless, 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:20.159 great welfare trade. And slick. And slick. It's 00:12:20.159 --> 00:12:21.820 a pretty exciting long -term vision for their 00:12:21.820 --> 00:12:24.419 herd, isn't it? It really is. It's a long -term 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:27.360 vision that cleverly integrates his deep breeding 00:12:27.360 --> 00:12:30.340 knowledge with the specific environmental challenges 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:34.100 of Tanzania, creating a resilient, productive 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:37.500 herd suited to local conditions. Very smart. 00:12:37.799 --> 00:12:42.340 Now, beyond the obvious economic benefits, you 00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:43.980 know, milk production, helping the sustainability 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:47.320 of eternal families, there's a really significant 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:49.799 nutritional aspect to this whole endeavor. Which 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:52.370 is probably the core mission. Absolutely. Mark 00:12:52.370 --> 00:12:54.870 pointed to studies suggesting that incorporating 00:12:54.870 --> 00:12:59.090 milk into the diet of children under six, it 00:12:59.090 --> 00:13:01.070 can potentially lead to an increase in their 00:13:01.070 --> 00:13:04.360 IQ. Really? By how much? By as much as 15 points, 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:06.559 according to the studies he cited. 15 points. 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:09.139 That's potentially life -altering for their cognitive 00:13:09.139 --> 00:13:11.460 development. Isn't it? Absolutely. For children 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:14.159 in vulnerable situations, consistent access to 00:13:14.159 --> 00:13:16.860 nutrient -rich foods like milk can have a profound 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:19.320 effect. It's not just basic sustenance. It's 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:21.740 a direct investment in their future potential, 00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:24.059 their well -being. And looking ahead, there are 00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.539 some really interesting market opportunities 00:13:25.539 --> 00:13:27.940 on the horizon, too. Beyond just fluid milk for 00:13:27.940 --> 00:13:31.480 the kids. Yeah. Mark is exploring producing butter, 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:34.340 yogurt, and something called mintendi. Mintendi? 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:36.980 What's that? It's a traditional local fermented 00:13:36.980 --> 00:13:39.539 milk product. Apparently, there's clearly a demand 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:42.639 for these dairy items from local consumers, restaurants, 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:45.799 hotels in the area. Makes sense. Value -added 00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:48.559 products. And his unwavering commitment to milk 00:13:48.559 --> 00:13:51.960 integrity. That's crucial to his firm stance 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:54.059 against adding water, for example. Oh, absolutely. 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:56.860 Building trust, establishing a reputation for 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:59.779 high quality, unadulterated products in the local 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:02.460 market. That kind of ethical approach can really 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:04.720 differentiate them. Builds long term loyalty. 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:07.000 He also has a clear vision for how the dairy 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:09.580 operation itself will be managed from a business 00:14:09.580 --> 00:14:11.799 perspective. Me name. He's committed to demonstrating 00:14:11.799 --> 00:14:15.169 better employee. employer relationships, ensuring 00:14:15.169 --> 00:14:17.549 fair treatment, showing genuine appreciation 00:14:17.549 --> 00:14:19.570 for the people working there. That's fantastic. 00:14:20.110 --> 00:14:22.250 It's about creating a positive, supportive work 00:14:22.250 --> 00:14:24.610 environment, which as we know is so important 00:14:24.610 --> 00:14:27.570 for long -term success anywhere, but perhaps 00:14:27.570 --> 00:14:30.629 especially in that context. That holistic approach, 00:14:30.870 --> 00:14:33.029 considering the animals, the production, and 00:14:33.029 --> 00:14:34.929 the human element that's essential for building 00:14:34.929 --> 00:14:37.110 a truly sustainable and thriving enterprise, 00:14:37.509 --> 00:14:41.450 can overlook the people. So true. Now, for our 00:14:41.450 --> 00:14:43.470 listeners out there who are hearing this incredible 00:14:43.470 --> 00:14:47.309 story and thinking, wow, this is amazing. How 00:14:47.309 --> 00:14:49.970 can I possibly contribute? Yeah, I imagine some 00:14:49.970 --> 00:14:52.509 folks might be wondering that. Well, there are 00:14:52.509 --> 00:14:54.929 actually several ways people can help, even from 00:14:54.929 --> 00:14:58.299 thousands of miles away. Mark and his team could 00:14:58.299 --> 00:15:00.820 really benefit from remote consultation. Okay, 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:03.500 in what areas specifically? Things like tropical 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:05.980 dairy management best practices, formulating 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:08.159 nutritional plans based on locally available 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:10.919 feed ingredients. Oh. That's a big one. Tricky 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:13.580 with local feed stuff sometimes. Right. And even 00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:16.200 offering insights on breeding strategies, specifically 00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:19.509 for heat -tolerant cattle. So if... Any listeners 00:15:19.509 --> 00:15:22.230 have expertise in those particular areas, tropical 00:15:22.230 --> 00:15:24.690 management, nutrition with local feeds, heat 00:15:24.690 --> 00:15:28.149 tolerant genetics. This is a really unique, impactful 00:15:28.149 --> 00:15:30.409 opportunity to lend that knowledge. Exactly. 00:15:30.409 --> 00:15:32.470 Make a tangible difference in this remarkable 00:15:32.470 --> 00:15:34.710 project. They must have equipment needs, too, 00:15:34.750 --> 00:15:37.029 I'd guess. Starting from scratch, almost. Oh, 00:15:37.049 --> 00:15:40.149 yeah. Very specific, critical equipment needs. 00:15:40.429 --> 00:15:43.750 At the top of their list is a reliable milk cooling 00:15:43.750 --> 00:15:46.129 unit. Absolutely essential. Yeah. Especially 00:15:46.129 --> 00:15:49.080 in that climate. For quality and market access. 00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:52.279 Couldn't agree more. They also have a need for 00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:55.440 a second tractor. Apparently the distance between 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:57.940 their two current locations is about 45 minutes. 00:15:58.139 --> 00:16:00.159 Oh wow, okay. Yeah, a second tractor makes sense 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:03.000 then. And a sturdy pickup truck. Needed to handle 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:05.120 the often challenging road conditions there. 00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:08.000 Those are very tangible needs. Direct contributions 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:10.740 there could have a huge immediate impact on their 00:16:10.740 --> 00:16:14.299 daily operations, their efficiency, and ultimately... 00:16:14.830 --> 00:16:17.169 their ability to provide for the children. For 00:16:17.169 --> 00:16:19.710 sure. And for those folks listening with connections 00:16:19.710 --> 00:16:22.629 in the bovine genetics world. The embryos. Right. 00:16:22.710 --> 00:16:25.049 Mark is actively seeking assistance with the 00:16:25.049 --> 00:16:27.429 logistics of transporting those valuable embryos 00:16:27.429 --> 00:16:30.309 to Tanzania. That can be complex, expensive. 00:16:31.070 --> 00:16:34.330 Definitely. He's also very interested in connecting 00:16:34.330 --> 00:16:37.549 with anyone who has knowledge about yellow or 00:16:37.549 --> 00:16:40.470 silage corn varieties that would be well -fooded 00:16:40.470 --> 00:16:44.190 to thrive in Tanzania's specific climate. Ah, 00:16:44.389 --> 00:16:47.190 agronomy expertise, too. Makes sense. So whether 00:16:47.190 --> 00:16:49.490 your area is logistics, agronomy, nutrition, 00:16:49.769 --> 00:16:53.230 breeding, management, there are definitely avenues 00:16:53.230 --> 00:16:55.500 to contribute. It seems like it covers a lot 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:57.700 of bases within our industry. It really does. 00:16:57.899 --> 00:17:00.480 And it's also really heartening to hear that 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:02.580 the dairy community has already begun to rally 00:17:02.580 --> 00:17:04.799 around this incredible effort. Oh, yeah. How 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.980 so? Well, with generous donations of AI kits. 00:17:07.549 --> 00:17:10.589 embryo transfer supplies, ET supplies, you know. 00:17:10.630 --> 00:17:13.170 The tools for the trade. And even a nutritionist 00:17:13.170 --> 00:17:15.210 volunteering their valuable services remotely. 00:17:15.490 --> 00:17:17.650 That's fantastic. It really highlights the spirit 00:17:17.650 --> 00:17:20.029 of generosity within our industry, doesn't it? 00:17:20.150 --> 00:17:22.490 It really does. It's wonderful to witness that 00:17:22.490 --> 00:17:25.329 immediate heartfelt support. Underscores that 00:17:25.329 --> 00:17:27.509 strong sense community, the willingness to help, 00:17:27.609 --> 00:17:30.609 even across vast distances. It's one of the best 00:17:30.609 --> 00:17:33.220 things about the dairy sector, I think. Agreed. 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:36.779 And at the very core of this entire endeavor, 00:17:36.940 --> 00:17:40.500 this massive shift is Mark's unwavering motivation. 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:44.119 He articulated it so powerfully. Not just that 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:47.599 one. He also said, I believe as a Christian that 00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:49.900 love your neighbor is not just a slogan for next 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:53.119 door, that love has no boundary. Wow. And then 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:55.460 he added, I also believe that love is an action 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:58.950 word. Love is an action word. That really encapsulates 00:17:58.950 --> 00:18:00.789 the driving force behind this whole journey, 00:18:00.910 --> 00:18:02.890 doesn't it? Perfectly, I think. It beautifully 00:18:02.890 --> 00:18:05.769 and succinctly captures the fundamental principle 00:18:05.769 --> 00:18:09.369 guiding this radical life transformation. It's 00:18:09.369 --> 00:18:11.890 a testament to putting faith into action, using 00:18:11.890 --> 00:18:14.210 his God -given skills, his extensive experience 00:18:14.210 --> 00:18:17.869 to serve a much wider community in a truly profound 00:18:17.869 --> 00:18:20.609 way. Yeah. So for our listeners in the United 00:18:20.609 --> 00:18:23.089 States who feel moved to contribute financially, 00:18:23.390 --> 00:18:25.750 there's a practical way to do that, too. Okay. 00:18:25.809 --> 00:18:28.730 The organization is Remember the Children, and 00:18:28.730 --> 00:18:31.730 it's a registered 501c3, so donations are tax 00:18:31.730 --> 00:18:33.369 -deductible in the U .S. That's a no. You can 00:18:33.369 --> 00:18:36.130 send checks to their address, 1100 S 9th Street, 00:18:36.289 --> 00:18:39.960 Suite 211, Noblesville, Indiana, 46060. Okay, 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:43.240 1100 South 9th Street, Suite 211, Noblesville, 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:48.500 Ease Ease 46060. Exactly. And please make sure 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:51.779 to clearly write Tanzania Dairy Project in the 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:53.900 memo line of the check. That's really important. 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:56.859 Tanzania Dairy Project in the memo. Got it. Every 00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:59.740 single contribution they assure us will go directly 00:18:59.740 --> 00:19:02.180 towards supporting the operational needs of the 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:04.880 dairy farm. And most importantly, ensuring that 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:07.670 fresh, nutritious milk. reaches those deserving 00:19:07.670 --> 00:19:10.029 children. That's fantastic. A direct, impactful 00:19:10.029 --> 00:19:12.529 way to support the dairy's needs and, crucially, 00:19:12.670 --> 00:19:14.710 ensure those kids get the significant nutritional 00:19:14.710 --> 00:19:16.690 benefits of fresh milk for their development. 00:19:16.930 --> 00:19:19.410 So from an elite Holstein breeder, you know, 00:19:19.430 --> 00:19:21.869 showcasing champion cattle in the top show rings 00:19:21.869 --> 00:19:25.089 across the U .S. Living that life. to embarking 00:19:25.089 --> 00:19:27.289 on a mission to establish a dairy farm to nourish 00:19:27.289 --> 00:19:30.369 orphans in Tanzania. Mark Easel's story is truly 00:19:30.369 --> 00:19:32.150 something extraordinary. It really is inspiring. 00:19:32.410 --> 00:19:34.490 He's taking his decades of hard -earned dairy 00:19:34.490 --> 00:19:36.910 expertise and channeling it into transforming 00:19:36.910 --> 00:19:39.670 young lives in just a deeply meaningful way. 00:19:39.890 --> 00:19:42.190 It really prompts us to consider the broader 00:19:42.190 --> 00:19:45.930 potential, doesn't it? The potential of the skills 00:19:45.930 --> 00:19:48.170 and knowledge we possess within the dairy industry. 00:19:48.569 --> 00:19:51.910 Yeah. How can the things we've learned, the expertise 00:19:51.910 --> 00:19:54.809 we've cultivated, How can that have a wider ripple 00:19:54.809 --> 00:19:57.930 effect beyond our own farms, our own businesses? 00:19:58.130 --> 00:20:00.529 Right. It brings that powerful concept, love 00:20:00.529 --> 00:20:03.329 is an action word, into a whole new and inspiring 00:20:03.329 --> 00:20:06.990 context within the global dairy community. Exactly. 00:20:07.130 --> 00:20:09.250 It's not just about the high quality milk we 00:20:09.250 --> 00:20:11.849 produce here or the genetics we develop. It's 00:20:11.849 --> 00:20:14.329 about how our collective knowledge, our resources, 00:20:14.630 --> 00:20:17.009 how they can reach across borders and make a 00:20:17.009 --> 00:20:19.329 real lasting difference in people's lives. It 00:20:19.329 --> 00:20:21.029 certainly gives you food for thought, doesn't 00:20:21.029 --> 00:20:23.359 it? It really does. A lot to think about there. 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:25.599 Thanks for joining us on the Bullvine Podcast. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:28.960 If Mark's story lit a fire in you, head to thebullvine 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:32.200 .com for the full article, photos of Tanzania's 00:20:32.200 --> 00:20:35.059 grass -roofed barns and ways to support the mission. 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:38.339 Got a dairy story we should feature? Email us 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:41.259 at editor at thebullvine .com. Don't forget to 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:43.819 subscribe so you never miss an episode. Until 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:46.140 next time, keep milking those possibilities.