A Tradition of Remembrance

As a child I only associated Memorial Day with

a holiday that brought our family together for a picnic or

 the beginning of summer with the first trip to  the swimming 

pool.  Perhaps I was born a little too close to the end of World War II

 for anyone ready to talk about our fallen heroes.

I can't imagine what our country would be like today were

it not for all the men and women that have served our country 

to protect our freedoms.

Memorial Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate

their devotion to our country.

Fortunately for our family, my father-in-law

did make it home from his experience in Japan during

World War II.

Because of men like Bill, 

we have the freedom to farm and  live free.

                                                               We pause on Memorial Day
                                           to give thanks for those who have given their all.

Memorial Day...a tradition of remembrance.

Dairyfarmer's Thankful Thursday

Milking our dairy cows twice a day is part of the 

daily routine down on the dairy farm.

During a pandemic, it is comforting in a crazy kind 

of way to be able to continue  a daily routine.

You may notice our employee, Jonathan, is wearing gloves.

Glove wearing has been part of our milking procedure

for a very long time to help decrease any spread of bacteria

from cow to cow.

I'm thankful that the COVID19 pandemic has 

not disrupted or changed our  daily activities and procedures,

 that our employees continue to be healthy,

the cows are being milked everyday,

and that farms and farm employees  are considered  essential 

so that we can continue to provide high-quality milk for 

my family and yours.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                       It's obvious from looking at the relaxation of our farm dogs,
                                       we need a little more excitement in these crazy COVID days!
                                       Feeding the baby calves twice a day has just worn them out.

  I'm thankful for these three dairy farm dogs that 

                                        do nothing but bring us joy on the gloomiest days,

the laugh from the son who put up with the wrong candles on 

his birthday cake,

                                         

for the opportunity to celebrate a belated birthday and 

Mother's Day with most of my family 

and

the beauty around us during these challenging 

days down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

Finding this new baby hiding in the buttercups was a little like playing 

hide and seek with granddaughter Hattie. The obvious clue was the

 Holstein mother standing close by just waiting for recognition!

It's a comfort during these days of COVID19 to  experience 

normal activities down on the dairy farm.

Our daily mission of caring for our animals and producing safe, 

nutritious  high-quality milk has not changed.

I'm thankful for our dedicated employees that have come

to work everyday and for the fact that all are still healthy,

for the surprise visits from our flower loving,watering girl Hattie,

and for the beauty around us

confirming who is in control of all circumstances

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                                 Due to the social distancing of COVID-19,
                                            we have been postponing our family celebrations.
                                        Even so, that doesn't stop me from being thankful for
                                      these 32 years that we have watched our oldest son grow
                                                 and mature into a fantastic human being!
                                             

I'm thankful  for all of our special memories

down on the dairy farm,  

for the opportunity to see the next generation 

explore life on the  family farm,

                                                    and for the time we are looking forward
                                       to celebrating with the 32nd chocolate birthday cake!

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

                                           Resting is part of the job for these dairy cows that 

                                      are patiently waiting to give birth in just a few short days.

                                     Each of these cows were moved from the milking herd to 

                                               the "dry" herd for a two month rest before calving.

                                            They are fed a special diet, provided plenty of water 

                                       and checked frequently  for any changes in behavior that

                                                             might indicate time for calving.

                                      

Even though we started the day with no sunshine after yesterday's rain,

I'm thankful for the picture of rest that brings a calmness

to the chaos around us and that what we do every day matters

to you and your family as we work to produce 

high-quality,nutritious milk down on the dairy farm.

Dairy Farmer's Thankful Thursday

With mud puddles in abundance and the crop fields too wet for

planting, it's easy to forget how fortunate we are for the

 clean water our cows drink everyday. 

Water is an important nutrient in the cow's diet and without

the availability of at least a bathtub full of water everyday, 

a milking cow will produce less milk.

 Even though these cows at the water tank are

 actually at rest in the pasture waiting to have a baby,

 water is important as they prepare for delivery.

I'm thankful for these daily reminders of how blessed we

are with the basics of everyday life down on the dairy farm

and

                                                           
                                              for our opportunity to share our blessings with
                                                                  the next generation!