The heartbeat of our farm

As anyone can tell you growing up on a dairy farm is an extremely unique experience.  It's different from growing up on any other type of agricultural operation.  What makes it so different is the amount of time that goes into it.  No matter what is going on the cows still have to be milked at the same time morning and night. 

Our farm is a diversified operation.  We farm, put up our own hay and silage, run stock cattle, and we also have a few pigs running around.  All of these things mean that we are never relying on one thing for income.  Instead we have multiple ways of bringing money into our business.  However during all of these things we still have our dairy to tend to.  It is the heartbeat of our farm and what most of what we do centers around.  We farm to feed our cattle.  Our hay and silage is what keeps all of our cows, dairy and stock, fat and happy all winter long.  When people show up to the farm looking for someone the first place they look is the dairy barn.  The barn is where I spend the majority of my time when I'm at the farm.  And as Dad, Frank, and Aadrian go in and out doing their chores they check in on me and the cows to make sure everything is going smoothly or to just talk for a bit. 

Growing up on a dairy farm you learn at a very early age that not everyone gets Thanksgiving and Christmas off.  My Dad, Frank, and Grandparents still had to work and we planned our family dinners around the milking schedule.  The last time I had Thanksgiving off was my senior year of college which was two days before my uncle Frank was injured.  Now I spend my holidays with the cows and my family members at the farm.  And what's even crazier is I enjoy it. 

On this Thanksgiving eve as the majority of people in the country are getting ready to celebrate with friends and family I hope you remember the people who put that food on your tables.  They will still be taking care of their animals and their crops tomorrow and hopefully getting some family time in between.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and safe travels as you head to be with your families.