Dennis and Jennifer Koolstra.
Kit Carson High School athletes know a lot about hard work; more than just the hard work that goes into a winning season. As a rural school, most of Kit Carson’s students come from an agricultural background and understand the work and effort that goes into running a successful farm.
Within an hour of their school, Dennis and Jennifer Koolstra and their family, work hard at their family dairy.
“We are dedicated to providing our country, and the world, with high-quality, nutritious milk and dairy foods. Dairy farming is not just a profession for our family, it is a passion,” says Jennifer.
Dennis Koolstra is a second-generation dairy farmer and runs an operation in Eastern Colorado. They have three children – Isaiah, Micah and Samuel. Dennis’s parents, Wilbert and Marie started dairy farming after Wilbert took on work as a relief milker for a farm near Berthoud, Colorado. The farmer paid him for that work by giving him a Holstein cow and the rest is history – the Koolstras have been running a dairy farm ever since.
“We are constantly seeking ways to improve the comfort of our animals because we know that this will lead to the production of high-quality, safe and wholesome milk. Without healthy and content cows, we couldn’t do what we do. Caring for our animals is our number one priority,” says Dennis.
A dairy operation runs 24/7 and the Koolstra family stays energized and fuel’s their active lifestyles with dairy – from string cheese to yogurt; they know dairy products keep their bones healthy and energy levels high from school classes to soccer practice.
Kit Carson boys and girls basketball team also kept their energy high by refueling with milk after practices and games this 2014-2015 season, after receiving Western Dairy Association’s Fuel Up with Milk Grant.
Coach Gina DeChant recognizes a difference in Kit Carson athletes after they have refueled with milk following a basketball game.
“Every one of our athletes can feel a difference when they drink it. They appreciate the hard work of individuals and owners of the dairy farms that allow them to have this opportunity,” she said.
Kit Carson High School sees the importance of continuing to provide milk to their athletes – the fluids and electrolytes for rehydration, carbohydrates for replenishing glycogen (energy) stores, and high-quality protein for aiding in muscle recovery and repair. And they plan to keep using milk to refuel even after the support of the 2015 grant.
Athletes can train harder and perform better with proper nutrition. Visit WesternDairyAssocation.org to read more about milk as an exercise recovery beverage and learn how to eat for peak athletic performance.