Need an Internship? Experience Agriculture in the Ozarks with McCarthy Cattle Co.

By Kim Buddington

Happy October, everyone! Wow, where has this year gone? Whether or not you’re glad to see 2019 start to wind down, it’s time to look ahead and make plans for the coming year. During October (and probably into November and maybe even December), we’re hoping to have a series of posts devoted to AGRICULTURAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

So if you’re someone who is hunting for an internship in the world of agriculture, please stay tuned. If you’re not in the market, please share with any of your friends, family, or classmates who are! Without further ado, we’d like to shift the spotlight to our first farm.

McCarthy Cattle Company

Buffalo, Missouri

Now taking applications!

Number of positions available: 1

Position Start/End Dates: Mid February 2020 through Mid May 2020. (These dates are ideal, but there is room for flexibility for the right candidate)

Do you want real-life, hands-on experience in raising livestock? Betty and Sean McCarthy of McCarthy Cattle Company, located in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, are looking for an intern with a passion for farming and enthusiasm to learn by doing.

“We are a commercial Angus cow/calf operation,” explains Betty McCarthy, “we have done genomic testing that proves we are in the top 8% of the Angus breed worldwide for the traits producing a great steak.”

Photo Courtesy of McCarthy Cattle Co. Used with permission.

Wow, what an opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business! In addition to cattle, the family has a flock of Shropshire sheep (about 40), which are bred for wool. They also raise meat goats (between 40-50), which are kept for natural brush control. The goats are bred to kid mainly in February, while the Shropshire lambs arrive during March and April. Calves are born during both the spring and fall.  

The brush clearing meat goat herd you could get to work with! (Photo Courtesy of McCarthy Cattle Co. Used with permission.)

The intern will have practice with a diverse set of skills relating to livestock care and management. Tasks assigned to the intern will include jobs related to lambing, kidding, calving, weaning, vaccination, feeding, pasture rotation, and other miscellaneous chores required on a busy livestock operation. Another vital management aspect of this farm that the intern will have exposure to is the use of livestock guardian dogs to keep the animals safe from predators.

The prerequisites for this job are pretty simple. “Anyone hoping for experience in animal husbandry will have the opportunity to learn,” says Betty.

This experience is a paid position. Meals are also provided, along with a room for the intern to stay in.  

The Shropshire sheep can’t wait to meet you!
(Photo Courtesy of McCarthy Cattle Co. Used with permission.)

Are you interested in applying? The McCarthy’s would love to hear from you. The best way to get in touch is to email them directly at m7supercows@gmail.com. You may also send a text to 417-733-1243, but keep in mind that there may be a delay in receiving a reply due to cellphone service limitations in the area. They will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for more internship opportunities over the next few months!

Business owners: If you are like the McCarthy’s and would like to have your open (agriculture-related only please) internship positions featured on this blog, shoot an email to sweetsavannahwriting@gmail.com. We will be in touch!

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The Story of the Orange Sulphur Cosmos (Guest Author Post!)

Renae B. Vander Schaaf

agripen@live.com

Essays From My Farmhouse Kitchen

The Story of the Orange Sulphur Cosmos

Gardens are really a sanctuary for everyone. It is a place to dream, create, work up a sweat pulling those ever present weeds or just enjoy the luxury of the outdoors.

My gardens do live up to my expectations, because the only thing I want from them is a place to grow plants, to delight in each flower during their season of blossoming and just have a place to dillydally on a beautiful day. There really are no rules to my gardening, except to ENJOY!!!!

Gardening in this free style way is full of surprises.  When I raked off the plant debris early this spring, I was surprised to see these little flowers I call Johnny Jump-Ups blooming. This perky little plant kept surprising me all summer by popping up in many locations in the garden and blooming every day in many different shades.  This is one self-sowing plant I do enjoy.

I can’t really say I despise the Wormwood plant. It is beautiful and fills in spaces where there are no plants, yet. But when this gigantic almost bush plant seemed to be interfering with my Johnny Jump-Ups plans for invasion, some of them had to be dug out. Oofta, they reminded that my abhorrence towards exercise may not be a good thing especially at my age.

My grandchildren recently explained to a visiting guest that she had to be a bit understanding because I was really, really REALLY OLD!!!! Ooh, the raw honesty of those youngsters….

Each year there are old flowers to welcome back and new flowers to enjoy.  One of my absolute favorites this year came from Angela Dykstra. She’s the one that has those cheerful orange flowers that bloom by the stop sign on Seventh Street.

I finally presumed upon our friendship to ask for a source of those seeds. She was so kind and saved seeds from last year’s harvest to share with me. Just like her grandma did for her.

Angela’s grandmother, Christine Elster Peterson began her married life as a farmer’s wife. Like many young couples they hoped that with hard work and very frugal living they would be able to make a living off the land. For six years they put forth their best effort in South Dakota. 

I can imagine that when the hail storms came along with the financial difficulties of the early 1930’s, she would head out to her garden, to pray. 

These bright orange blossoms, which sway in the slightest breeze, would cheer her. She could return to her mundane daily chores reminded that her Lord understood and He was still taking care of them. 

When the crops failed again, it became evident that they needed to leave the farm. In their preparations to move, she carefully saved seeds from her favorite outdoor flowers. The flowers were a part of the farm she could take to town.

Her husband secured a job in Sioux Falls. It wasn’t the life she imagined, but she loved and stood by her man through those difficult times because she believed the words in the Holy Bible “Thus far has God helped us” despite the fact that their present situation seemed to dictate otherwise. 

Christine Elster Peterson was not one to feel sorry for herself. She got busy making their new house in town a home that was a haven for her husband after a hard day at his job, and their family that eventually grew to include six children. 

Many flowers grew under her careful tending both outside and inside her home. Her delicious homemade bread seemed to say ‘I love you’ in every bite. 

These vibrant orange flowers remind me to persevere through tough times and never to lose faith. Thank you, Angela Dykstra, for sharing the flowers and story of your grandma. Through you we are reminded that a grandparent’s influence is important.

Renae B. Vander Schaaf is an independent writer, author and speaker. Please contact her at 605-530-0017 or agripen@live.com.

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4-H Projects & Fair Filled Summers- My Reflections on Years Past

By Kim Buddington

Just last week, I went to a concert at the Ashland County Fair, featuring Country singer Craig Morgan and his band. The weather couldn’t have been better that night for an outdoor show, and the crowd was great. I got to enjoy many of his well-known hits played live- songs like, “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” “International Harvester,” “Little Bit of Life,” and so on.

They played some new material as well, which was great. But as I listened and tapped my foot along to these songs I know so well, I was struck by something. I found myself becoming emotional, even choked up a time or two.

It’s a collective experience for most, I believe. The power of music has a way of taking us back in time, does it not? We connect certain songs to specific people, places, and events. The songs I mentioned were all played quite frequently by radio stations a few years back…a few years back when I was in 4-H, raising and showing goats and rabbits and exhibiting them at county fairs and shows all summer. Those songs would keep us company through the airwaves as we traveled with livestock in tow at 4 o’clock in the morning. Or they were played over loudspeakers on the midway as we took a walk to catch a little break from the barn after a busy show day. That just so happened to be the “soundtrack” during these defining years of my youth.

I am forever thankful to have had the opportunity to grow up being a “fair kid.” If you also grew up putting hours of work, along with blood, sweat, and tears into your livestock projects, you can probably relate. Folks who haven’t had the experience may not get it.

While it certainly has its place in the overall atmosphere and experience of a fair, the first thing that comes to mind for me isn’t the rides or the funnel cakes. Instead, it’s the cattle barns or the smell of dandruff shampoo mixed with the aroma of my freshly washed goats as I prep them for the show. Sure, those games on the midway may be a challenge, but have you ever shown dairy animals and played the game of trying to keep your snowy white show clothes…um, white? Or trying to keep the barn aisles neat and tidy all day and rearranging the chrysanthemum plants multiple times to outsmart the goats so they can’t eat them- don’t the little rascals know the flowers are decorations, not snacks?!?!     

Between the laughs and the tears, the long days and the short nights, raising and showing livestock taught me a lot of valuable things at a young age. I got to witness the miracle of birth and the beauty of life. But with that came experiencing the reality of death, and aiding in the relief of suffering when needed. I learned about winning and losing, about helping others, keeping records, managing money, and working hard. I learned that some people are just always going to be challenging to deal with, but it’s a waste to let them ruin your day completely. At the end of the day, at least make sure you did your best.

There are some folks out there today who think children should not grow up raising and showing livestock (especially market animals.) Some even that feel livestock displays at the county fair should be done away with altogether. Many have grown up with little to no contact with production agriculture and live in a very different or even virtual reality.

I’m not going to go too far into it here, but everyone is entitled to deciding for themselves if they want to eat meat or not. That being said though, I think the life lessons and values that children learn through raising and exhibiting livestock are precious, especially for today’s generation. I think it is crucial to do everything we can to support our local fairs and youth agricultural education programs. The local fair might be the only time and place all year that some people will get to experience agriculture hands-on. So we need to make a good impression and answer any questions respectfully and honestly.

I’m not sure where I’d be today if I didn’t have these experiences. I discovered my passion for agriculture this way, and I’m so glad I did. The support of my family had a lot to do with it. I’m indebted to my parents for their backing of my livestock raising projects. So Thank you Mom and Dad for the countless hours you gave up, the aggravation I caused at times, and being willing to have your hard-earned money turned into feed for animals, fuel for us, (you know, the countless Dunkin’ Donuts stops…) fuel for the old white van, and much more.

Or the year you saved the day, Dad. With some quick thinking, zip ties, and pulling the spare tire cover from the truck of your car to use as an emergency barrier when my best milking doe got assigned (unexpectedly and at the last minute) to a pen next to her thirsty kid who really didn’t like the idea of being weaned! I can’t fully express in words what all of this meant to me, and I hope you have a lot of good memories too.

As night fell over the fairgrounds after the concert, the livestock barns ware still very much lit up and a bustle of activity. Young people were fitting, feeding, and walking their animals- as well as goofing around and having a good time with friends. I currently live 500 + miles away from New England and New York where I exhibited my rabbits and goats as a kid, and that night I couldn’t help but wish for a minute that I was back in 4-H, showing my animals too.

Obviously, I can’t go back in time, but I do know that if I ever have kids of my own one day, I want them to have the experience of showing livestock. It’s not always glamorous or easy, but it’s a wonderful way to grow up, and they’ll have my support all the way. And I hope that one day when they are grown, they’ll look back fondly and appreciate those fair filled summers where it all started.

West View Oodles (2007-2018) My loyal (and at times very stubborn!) showmanship goat. We had many adventures together!

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Camping & Cows- A Diverse Internship Experience for SUNY Cobleskill Grad

By Kim Buddington


Internship programs for college students are widespread across many different industries and professions these days. It is no different in the world of agriculture, as internships give students and recent graduates the connections and practical skills required to get a solid start in their chosen career field. From animal science work to agribusiness services, young people across the United States and abroad are spending their summer hard at work. Among these driven individuals is Jimmy Kervick, a recent graduate of SUNY Cobleskill in Cobleskill, New York.

Photo courtesy of Jimmy Kervick. Used with permission.

Jimmy is currently in the midst of a fifteen-week internship program at Mountain View Dairy, owned by Daniel & Angela Schmid, in the Delaware County town of Bloomville, NY. Mountain View Dairy doesn’t just milk cows, they are a diversified operation with heavy involvement in agri-tourisim activities. At the dairy, guests are welcome to take their vacation in the serenity of the country thanks to the Farm Stay program. Options include the rental of a fully furnished house on the farm or the booking of tent camping sites.


With many different activities going on at once, there is plenty to keep Jimmy busy, and he’s able to learn the many different angles of running such a business. His days begin early- with milking the cows, of course. After milking is complete, he makes sure the Farm Stay guests are comfortable and attends to any needs they may have. Other jobs that Jimmy does throughout a typical day include social media management for the farm’s channels, running necessary errands, and any additional chores that go along with the day to day operation of the farm.

Photo courtesy of Jimmy Kervick. Used with permission.

“My favorite part about this job is networking with fellow farmers, business owners and guests from around the world,” explains Jimmy.

Ahead of this internship, he had completed a solid college career- earning both an Associate Degree in Agricultural Business and a Bachelor of Technology in Animal Science with a concentration in dairy. Even with that education under his belt, the internship experience is still proving to be very valuable to him.


“Even though I spent four years in college learning about agriculture and agribusiness, there are many things that I never got the exposure to do in college [that] I am getting the opportunity to do here,” Jimmy states.

Thanks to Mountain View Dairy, he’s had opportunity to star in a commercial for the farm, compile a menu for their fresh meats, help maintain the company website, and more.


So maybe you’re reading this and are currently in college. Have you begun exploring internship options? Even if an internship isn’t a requirement for your degree program, it is still an excellent idea to pursue one! You are sure to discover things you didn’t know about yourself, as well as open up doors for future opportunities- employment or otherwise.


“Go to a place where you are going to learn something,” Jimmy advises, “where there is a chance for you to get hands on in all areas of the business.”


When you do take a deep dive into many different areas, you are guaranteed to be challenged as well. Jimmy says the hardest thing about the internship for him so far is how many things you have to know and do every day to run a productive and successful business. Cows and customers have different needs that must be met…sometimes all at once!


But when the summer is over, and his internship is complete, Jimmy is hopeful that the knowledge and experience he gained will pay off on the road to his next adventure- whatever and wherever that may be. Thank you, Jimmy, for sharing your story with us! We wish you the best in all your future endeavors.


If you are interested in following along with Jimmy’s fun on the farm, you are welcome to check out his Instagram. For more information on Mountain View Dairy, follow along with their Facebook and Instagram, or visit their website.

Photo courtesy of Jimmy Kervick. Used with permission.

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Guest Author Special Feature-Essays From My Farmhouse Kitchen

By Renae B. Vander Schaaf

Do You Know Doc Neumann?

There really isn’t a more fitting time to finally have this book published than during National Ag Week. The old-time veterinarian was mighty important to farmers as together they worked to keep livestock healthy and alive, thereby protecting their livelihoods.


AJ Neumann was fresh out of college when he came to Orange City in 1949. It was a town clear across the state from the eastern Iowa community that he grew up in.
When he came to Sioux County, there were 2,971 farms with an average size of 161 acres. Livestock was plentiful, if you like numbers, here is what the census said: 78,200 cattle and calves, 215,460 pigs and hogs, 6,511 sheep and lambs, 593,812 poultry and 3,333 horses and ponies. Several of these spe-cies could be found on most farms.


Over two years ago AJ Neumann and I began work-ing on this book Get Up! Get Going! We made this decision after having coffee together with Lee and Bonnie Meier at their charming store, Jubon Juweelen.


In January we began recording his stories around his coffee table. As he spoke I would type the words into my computer. Most of these stories I was hearing for the first time. He has an entertaining way of speaking, so at times we were laughing or close to tears. It never ceases to amaze me the life situations this man experienced.
About mid-way through our work we would take a coffee and almond patty break to consider what we had just written.


At the very last minute, and I mean last minute. This is one time I was grateful that computers are instant. I sub-mitted the manuscript to The Write Place in Pella, Iowa. They offer a book contest every two years.


One day my phone rang, it was Sarah Purdy from The Write Place with the most unbelievable news, our manu-script had won. I knew AJ Neumann’s story was good for I enjoyed almost every minute of working with him on this project. But to win first prize was just the ultimate surprise!


The Write Place has been so very patient and a real joy to work with. They have made very good suggestions and designed an excellent cover for us. There are plenty of unknowns in the publishing world, The Write Place helped us in many ways.
We thought we had done plenty of editing that we had stuff down pretty good. But it seemed like there was always one more edit or addition.


When a man has a great memory and has lived over ninety-two years there is plenty of life to re-member with the challenge of accurately recording it as best we could.
Get Up! Get Going! is a walk back in history as Doc Neumann remembers the Depression years well. Perhaps its the girl side in me, but I really like the chapter where he met his wife. It is just so special how their love blossomed. She truly was his life’s partner in his business.


Amidst the stories throughout the book, he grapples with an underlying question that is asked in the first chapter. He ponders a comment by a local pastor that never leaves his mind. He finds some answers when he experiences a life-changing incident in a small barn, an appropriate place for a country vet-erinarian.


Life wasn’t always easy, nor did it go on auto-pilot. At the peak of his career, he abruptly closed his thriving veterinary practice; and gained a reputation as Horse Doc which opened up a whole new life and experiences for him and his wife Mary Virginia.
I first heard of this man when my farmer and I would travel to Amish Country or attend horse events while writing for agriculture papers. When they found out we were from Orange City, we would be asked, “Do you know Doc Neu-mann?”


Of course, my farmer did, as Doc Neumann was their veterinarian when Dave was growing up. He has a few stories he can tell about the Vander Schaaf family.
I am thankful that strangers piqued my interest on this man. Next time I am asked, the question, “Do you know Doc Neumann? My answer will be, “Yes, indeed. He is an amazing gentleman.”


It has been a unbelievable privilege to with AJ Neumann on this book Get Up! Get Going! I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did in writing it.
Feel free to contact me if interested in a book or having AJ Neumann, DVM speak—he still is going strong.


Renae B. Vander Schaaf is an independent writer, author and speaker. Please contact her at 605-530-0017 or agripen@live.com.

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Sweetpea’s Virtual Dairy Farm & Creamery Tour (Part 2)

By Kim Buddington

You’ve made it to part 2 of our tour, thanks for sticking around! We still have more great dairy farms and foods to discover together.


Stop #8- Montana

Lifeline Farm

Lifeline Farm in Victor, MT is a USDA Certified Organic dairy, producing milk products from grass-fed Brown Swiss and Braunvieh cows. They pride themselves on sustainability and are also a certified Demeter Biodynamic farm. If you’re curious about what this means, check out their webpage for more information. Lifeline Farm’s dairy products offerings include pasteurized fluid milk and cheese. (8)

Their delicious sounding cheese menu includes aged and fresh cheeses, like, extra sharp to mild cheddars, raw milk cheddar, Montana jack, and Mozzarella. In addition to milk, they also sell beef and pork products. Whey, which is a byproduct of the cheese making process, makes a great feed supplement for pigs. Lifeline Farm products can be purchased from the farm store, or at over thirty select retail outlets in Montana and neighboring states! (8)


If you’re interested in learning about how they make their cheese, there is a nifty, interactive step-by-step explanation on their website to click through. Follow the Lifeline Creamery & Farm Store on Facebook or Instagram for more. (8)


Stop #9- Massachusetts

Mayval Farm

In picturesque Westhampton, MA, the Parsons family of Mayval Farm have been dairy farming for a long time…all the way back to 1778! There are several breeds of dairy cattle that call Mayval Farm home, as the herd is comprised of a mix of Jersey, Holstein, and Brown Swiss. Back in early 2015, the Parsons began bottling milk in their new on-farm creamery facility. (9)


From the creamery, you can enjoy fantastic minimally processed chocolate and whole milk. In addition to that, you can also satisfy your cheese cravings with fresh cheese curds, Mayval’s signature skyr (of Icelandic origin (14)), and more. All of this, as well as other products such as maple syrup, are available from their lovely little farm store attached to the creamery. Products are also sold at a handful of local shops, and at area farmer’s markets on select days.(9)


We’ve also visited Mayval Farm and had personal interactions with the Parsons family. This arm is and excellent example of the traditional New England dairy, and the family is devoted to providing their animals with the best care and making high-quality products. Do stop by the farm and taste for yourself, if you live in, or are ever passing through western Massachusetts. If you want to stay up to speed with all the happenings at Mayval Farm, connect with them on Facebook and or Twitter. (9)


Stop #10- Texas

Mill-King Market & Creamery

In McGregor, TX, the Mill-King dairy farm has been in the family since the 1940s. It has been handed down through multiple generations and evolved to where it is today. In 2010, the family began retail sales of raw milk. By the end of 2011, in part due to low commodity milk prices, they were selling pasteurized milk from their creamery plant.(10)


The minimal processing of milk is vital to the mission of Mill-King Market & Creamery, as they saw dairy allergies among family members be alleviated through the consumption of raw and gently pasteurized milk! The cows that produce this wonderful milk are grass and forage fed and are treated as naturally as possible. (10)


Even if you don’t live nearby the farm, you may still be in luck when it comes to sourcing Mill-King Market & Creamery milk. They distribute through retailers in multiple cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Raw milk, however, is only available directly from the farm. Also available at the farm store, are a wide variety of food products for folks with allergies to items such as eggs or gluten. To stay up to date with Mill-King Market & Creamery, check out their Facebook, Twitter, and or Instagram! (10)


Stop #11- Iowa

Sheeder Cloverleaf Dairy

In Guthrie Center, IA, we make our next stop at Sheeder Cloverleaf Dairy, another pasture-based dairy operation. The family pays special attention to the health and condition of the soil in their fields so that the cows are consuming feeds of optimum quality. Like many other farmstead creameries, Sheeder Cloverleaf dairy opts to use the low-temperature pasteurization method, but then homogenizes their milk. They package their products in old fashioned glass bottles. (11)


From this dairy, you can enjoy chocolate, whole, 2%, and skim milk. They also carry cream, and on a seasonal basis, egg nog! Oh, and who doesn’t love ice cream? Sheeder Cloverleaf Dairy produces ice cream using their very own recipe. Their flavor offerings sound amazing, like chocolate coffee, lemon custard, and cookies and cream. (11)


If that was enough to entice you, and you’re local to the Des Moines area, there are many retail stores and restaurants listed on the farm website that are said to carry their products. Their Facebook page is full of photos of happy cows on grass, as well as regular updates, so make sure you follow along! (11)


Stop #12- Kansas

Skyview Farm and Creamery

Skyview Farm and Creamery in Pleasanton, KS, is all about cheese! Skyview Farm is a small family operation, owned by Bill and Sheri Noffke, and located on a plot of 80 acres. They utilize rotational grazing for their milking cows, feed non-GMO grains, and strive to use organic farming methods whenever possible. (12)


Their Jersey cows provide all the milk for the cheese they create, as the wonderfully high butterfat ratio of Jersey milk helps to make a great finished product. The Noffke’s are passionate about making high quality aged cheeses, and even have their own aging cave where the transformation happens. Some of the cheese varieties that Skyview Farm offers for sale include Jalapeno, smoked, and plain Goudas. They also make Asiago, Fontina, and a specialty cheese called “Skyview Prairie.” (12)


Hungry? You can visit Skyview Farm and purchase cheese right there, or at the farmers market in Overland Park, KS or from select stores around Kansas City. Their website features a blog to follow, or you can stay updated by connecting with them on Facebook. (12)


Stop #13- Alabama

Working Cows Dairy

Last but not least, we conclude this tour way down south in Slocomb, AL, at Working Cows Dairy. Jan and Rinske de Jong moved across the Atlantic from Holland to the United States in 1985. Their dream was to establish a dairy operation, and they did just that. After several years of working from leased farms, they finally moved to their current location in Slocomb by 1991. (13)


In 2006, they made the switch from conventional farming to organic. Cows raised on grass became their focus. Becoming an organic dairy is a long, slow process, which you can read more about on their website if you desire. (13)


As far as the milk you can purchase from Working Cows Dairy; they offer whole, skim, 2%, and 1% chocolate, as well as heavy whipping cream for your culinary needs. Quite recently, they dove into cheese making. They now make quite a selection of aged cheese, and some of them are even USDA Certified Organic. Some of the unique varieties you can sink your teeth into include Gouda with cumin seeds, chive and celery blend cheeses, and even a nettle flavored cheese! (13)


Working Cows Dairy products can be bought at the farm, or from a number of retail stores throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Follow along with all the happenings of this farm on Pinterest, Facebook, and or Instagram. (13)

Well, there you have it, folks. This concludes our special #JuneDairyMonth Virtual Farm Tour! We hope you enjoyed, and maybe even found your next favorite dairy delight! Isn’t it neat how all of these farms are very much the same, yet all so very different? The story of each farm and family is diverse, which means everyone has something unique to bring to the table.


So again, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating dairy this month, by supporting your local farmers and helping them spread the word about what they have to offer. But don’t just do it this month, do it all year long!


References

8.http://lifelinefarm.com/

9.http://mayvalfarm.com/index.html

10. https://mill-king.com/

11.http://www.sheedercloverleafdairy.com/index.php

12.https://skyviewfarm.net/

13.http://www.workingcowsdairy.com/

14.https://www.icelandicprovisions.com/what-is-skyr/

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Sweetpea’s Virtual Dairy Farm & Creamery Tour (Part 1)

By Kim Buddington

Happy June, everyone! Do you know what that means? Well grab a glass of real milk, snack on some cheese or spread that butter on your toast because it’s June Dairy Month, 2019!


Yep, this month is all about dairy cows, dairy products, and of course, dairy farmers. If you’re a dairy farmer or work in the dairy industry, we sincerely thank you for all the hard work that you do! If you’re a consumer of dairy, we encourage and challenge you to go all out and celebrate this month.


Add an extra milk product (or five) to your shopping list this week, look up some new dairy recipes to try, and tell your friends about the wonders of your favorite dairy foods! At this time, in particular, dairy farmers across the United States really need all the support they can get from consumers. So please, get out there and do your part…and hey, the benefits are delicious!


In celebration of this month, we’d like to take you on a nationwide tour of some dairy farms. No, you won’t have to get on a bus or a plane, we’re taking a virtual journey right here, all you have to do is keep reading!


For our tour this year, we’re focusing on producers who are in the business of processing and selling milk their own milk directly to retail customers. Adding processing and bottling equipment on a farm is a huge and costly undertaking. While it may sound simple, or conjure up romanticized images for many people, there are many unique challenges involved in running a “cow to bottle” operation.


The 13 farms that we’re shining the spotlight are spread throughout different regions of the country. Some we’ve had personal interactions with, and others are on our bucket list of dairies to visit someday. If any of these farms are local to you, and you don’t already have a hometown dairy that you buy from, please check them out and try their products. From Massachusetts out to Washington, and from Minnesota on down to Texas, here we go!


Stop #1- Minnesota

Autumnwood Farm

Autumnwood Farm has been in the Daninger family since 1902. They are located in Forest Lake, MN. The dairy herd at Autumnwood Farm is primarily raised on pasture, and they emphasize the use of natural farming and animal health methods whenever possible. (1)


According to their website, they choose to use glass bottles (returnable) to package their milk and milk products. Some of the delicious dairy offerings from their creamery include whole and chocolate milk, 1% and skim milk, half and half for your coffee, and even eggnog when it’s in season! Autumnwood products are available at the farm or can be found at over 30 retail and restaurant locations in the Minneapolis area. (1)


We highly recommend that you connect with them on Facebook. The Autumnwood Farm page is full of great photos and regular updates. We love following along online with their adventures, and if we ever get to visit MN, this dairy is certainly on our list of stops to make!


Stop #2- North Carolina

Brown Creek Creamery

Located in Wadesboro, NC, you’ll find the lovely Jersey herd that belongs to Brown Creek Creamery. The Poplin and Stovall families opened their creamery in the fall of 2014 to process and market their milk. The main focus of production appears to be cheese. Seems like a great choice because who doesn’t love cheese? (2)


The mouthwatering product list on their website includes cheddar cheeses, cheese curds in multiple flavors, formage, and pimiento, to name a few. They also offer fudge and butter, as well a soft serve ice cream on a seasonal basis. If you’re a raw milk fan, Brown Creek Creamery also offers a cow share program. Under NC law, this type of program provides a way for consumers to buy and farmers to sell raw milk legally. (2)


Brown Creek dairy products can be purchased at their farm, or from a number of farmers markets and retailers in the local area. Check out their charming website, or follow along on their Facebook page. (2)


Stop #3- Ohio

Buckeye Country Creamery

Just a few miles from I-71 in Ashland, OH, we come to Buckeye Country Creamery. The Lahmers and Hulse families raise Holstein, Jersey, and Brown Swiss dairy cattle and bottle the milk in their onsite processing plant. What sets Buckeye Country Creamery’s milk apart from other milk? It’s A2/A2 milk! (3)


A2 milk production is one of the hottest trends in dairy right now. Cows carry genes for either A1 protein milk, A2 milk, or a combination of A1 and A2. Regular A1 milk is linked to causing digestive issues for many people when they consume dairy. A2 milk, on the other hand, tends to be easier on the stomach, thanks to A2 genes having a shorter structure. Have you just always assumed that you can’t have dairy because you’re lactose intolerant? It might not be the case! Give Buckeye Country Creamery’s A2/A2 milk a try and see how you feel. Each milking cow at the farm has gone through genetic testing, to ensure that they only carry A2 genetics. (3)


The creamery’s product list offers a wide variety of tasty treats for you to choose from. Enjoy cream top whole, 2%, chocolate, cookies & cream, and strawberry milk. Each month, they also offer a different limited edition flavor. Another signature product is their drinkable yogurt, available in strawberry, vanilla, blueberry, and raspberry. If that wasn’t enough, they also make ice cream, mozzarella cheese, and for your skincare routine- handmade milk soap! (3)


We know the folks at Buckeye Country Creamery personally, and they do an amazing job caring for their cows and producing the best tasting dairy products. Stop by the farm store or visit their website for a long list of Ohio retailers that carry their milk products. If you’re on Facebook, follow their page for regular updates.


Stop #4- Washington

Golden Glen Creamery

On to the Pacific Northwest! Ever since 2004, Golden Glen Creamery of Bow, WA has been devoted to manufacturing dairy foods from their own cows. They state that they use the low-temperature vat pasteurization method to help preserve the natural qualities of their milk. They milk Jersey, Guernsey, and Holstein cows, and all that wonderful milk goes into the production of butter and cheese. Parmesan, Gouda, mozzarella, and cheddar are just a few of their offerings. (4)


Something that seems unique about Golden Glen Creamery is the number of cheddar flavors they have available. Lavender or cardamom cheddar anyone? If those don’t speak to you, there are many more options, including tomato & basil, salsa, dill, chive, and red pepper cheddar. (4) Yum, sounds like something to please every taste!


But they don’t stop at flavored cheese. Try ordering butter with flavor added, such as cinnamon, lime & cilantro, honey, and garlic & sea salt. You can buy Golden Glen Creamery products directly from their farm store, or at many retailers and farmer’s markets in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Their products can also be ordered online. (4)


The farm’s Facebook page is full of up to date information and mouthwatering photos of cheese, so check it out!


Stop #5- Tennessee

Hatcher Family Dairy

The Hatcher family, of Hatcher Family Dairy, have been involved in agriculture since 1831. The farm is located in College Grove, TN. Among the many values central to their operation, are their family, Christian faith, environmental stewardship, and providing the absolute best cow care. (5)


To keep their farm profitable, they began selling their milk retail from the farm in 2007. Hatcher Family Dairy offers a full line of pasteurized fluid milk products including whole, skim, 2%, chocolate, and buttermilk. You can also buy whole cream and half & half. Are you a fitness fanatic who loves to spend a lot of time in the gym? The Hatcher’s have the dairy-based protein/energy beverage for you, called the “Jumpin Jimmy!” (5)


Their dairy products are available at many retail shops and cafes, including locations in Nashville, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, and many more! The Hatcher’s also offer tours of their farm for school and other like groups. Seems like a great farm to check out. They have a very active social media presence, so get connected with them on Twitter, Facebook, and or Instagram. (5)


#6- Vermont

Jersey Girls Dairy

Here we are in the Green Mountain State! Want to take a wild guess as to what kind of cows the folks at Jersey Girls Dairy might milk? Why yes, since 1999, Lisa Kaiman has been raising Registered Jersey cattle on her Chester, VT farm. When we say she started her farm from scratch, she really did…check out the website for more of the story.(6)


Creamtop milk, cheese, and butter are the primary dairy products they have available. They advertise a specialty soft cheese that we’ve never heard of before, but it sure sounds interesting. That item is Vermont Quark! (6)


If delicious raw milk is what you’re after, you can buy that directly at the farm. In addition to their milk carefully packaged in light-resistant bottles, they also offer veal that was raised in a free-range manner, along with other meat items. Jersey Girls Dairy sells products at other retail locations, farmer’s markets, and eateries. It looks like visitors are welcome to come and see the cows, so if you’d like to experience traditional Vermont agriculture up close, this appears to be the ideal place to do it!

Check out the farm’s Facebook page for the most up to date news and information. (6)


Stop #7- New York

Ju-Vindale Holsteins

In the Madison county town of Cazenovia, NY, we come to Ju-Vindale Holsteins, another small family dairy. The husband and wife team behind this farm, Vincent and Julie Wagner, raise Registered Holstein dairy cattle. The milk they have available from their on-farm store for retail purchase is raw. They are licensed according to NY state laws to sell raw milk directly to consumers. According to their recent social media updates, they have also begun to offer their own ground beef for sale as well. (7) Yum!


We’ve had the pleasure of getting to tour this farm and meet the owners on several occasions. Oh, and the taste of Ju-Vindale’s raw milk is absolutely phenomenal. They state that the farm is open for tours. So, If you do go and visit, be prepared to feast your eyes on some of the cleanest cows and well-kept facilities you’ll ever see! This dairy farm is a gem, so get out and support them if you can. Connect with Ju-Vindale Holsteins on Facebook for more. (7)


References

1.https://autumnwoodfarmllc.com/index.html

2.http://www.browncreekcreamery.com/

3.https://www.buckeyecountrycreamery.com/

4.http://www.goldenglencreamery.com/

5.http://hatcherfamilydairy.com/

6.http://www.jerseygirlsdairy.com/

7. https://www.facebook.com/Ju-Vindale-Holsteins-1091869144219436/

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Old Boston Hollow– Bringing the Homestead Dream to Life

By Kim Buddington

The homestead farm. Having a little plot to raise some chickens, plant a veggie garden, and maybe even have a milk cow or handful of goats to provide fresh food for the family is a vision that many folks have. For Jackie Korzeniowski of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, the homesteading life is her daily reality.

A rabbit raised for fiber production! Photo courtesy of Jackie Korzeniowski. Used with permission.


On the 1.25 acre property where the family lives in the lovely community just to the east of Springfield, is Old Boston Hollow, their small farm. With multiple projects going on at once, there is always something exciting happening around the Korzeniowski homestead. The love for animals has always been in Jackie’s blood. As a college student, she worked with horses and initially planned for a career in the equine world. But plans changed for her as time went on. “I went to college to work with horses, but as I got older decided to have a family instead of horses,” she explained.


As her family grew, so has her desire to provide as much homegrown food for them as possible. Not only that, but she also wanted her children to grow up experiencing the real-life lessons that farming offers.

“I feel that it is important for them to know where their food comes from and how to raise an animal humanely and to be thankful for the sacrifice it makes for us,” Jackie said.


It sure is a good thing she has family members to pitch in, for even running a small-scale farm is hard work! A diverse selection of creatures call Old Boston Hollow home, including rabbits, chickens, quail, dairy goats, an alpaca, and honey bees. In addition to livestock, they are also avid gardeners, growing plants and vegetables for home use, as well as for sale locally at the town farmer’s market.

Poultry! Photo courtesy of Jackie Korzeniowski. Used with permission.
Other rabbits are raised to provide meat for the family. Photo courtesy of Jackie Korzeniowski. Used with permission.

Jackie is also a passionate and talented fiber artist. The alpaca provides fiber, and many of the rabbits on the farm are wool producing breeds, like angoras. She spins up all that homegrown fiber into luxurious yarns and then knits them into beautiful masterpieces. In addition to making delicious dairy products from goat milk, she also makes homemade soap and offers that for sale at the farmers market too.

No better way for a child to grow up! Photo courtesy of Jackie Korzeniowski. Used with permission.

The market is her primary way of promoting her homestead products. Jackie has been really ramping up the plant production lately. It is a practical enterprise for her to expand, as the family loves to garden. A small greenhouse was added, especially for growing seedlings that are sold to customers for transplanting directly into their gardens.


She has been transforming more and more of her yard into garden space this spring, as well as delving into the production of micro-greens. She has high hopes for the micro-greens project and anticipates that they will be well received by her local patrons.

Selling tomato seedlings by the side of the road.Photo courtesy of Jackie Korzeniowski. Used with permission.

While there are many benefits to living a homesteading lifestyle, it’s not always a walk in the park. The most challenging thing about what Jackie does is the amount of time and effort required. With livestock ever needing tending, family vacation time can also be hard to come by. It can be physically exhausting getting everything done, but she still wouldn’t trade it.


Good things don’t come cheap or easy. But the strong family bonds, appreciation for honest work, and reverence for nature, all reinforced by working the land together- is priceless.


“I love how productive our home is,” Jackie said. “I love the purpose it gives my children. I love the way it looks when I look outside. It makes me happy.”

That right there- is the dream and joy of homesteading.

Who says you can’t do much with a little plot of land?Photo courtesy of Jackie Korzeniowski. Used with permission.

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Where Crowns Meet Cows- Introducing an Ashland County Ag Queen

By Kim Buddington

We’re just going to come and say it first off- the present and future of American agriculture is in great hands! Allow us to introduce you to Taylor Dawson of Ohio, an incredible young woman who has been busy proving to the world that wearing a crown, and showing cattle can absolutely go together.


Almost everyone is familiar with the pageant competitions that exist, such as Miss America. But have you heard about Miss Agriculture USA? According to the official website, “Miss Agriculture USA is a new Nonprofit organization that is about celebrating and promoting agriculture”(Miss Agriculture USA, 2019)!


Taylor is quite familiar with the program, as she holds the title of Ashland County Miss Agriculture USA for 2019. In April, she competed in the statewide contest. Thanks to getting her start in agriculture at the young age of eight, and now in college at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (OSU ATI), studying Agriculture Business Management, Taylor’s enthusiasm for farming only continues to grow.


She also donned another tiara before this experience, as Taylor was the 2017 Ashland County Junior Fair Queen. Last summer, Taylor got to travel around Ohio, visiting other county fairs as part of her reign. That was how she first got acquainted with the Miss Agriculture USA organization.

“I met Shannon Gallagher Wingert, National Queen Relations and Operations Manager, at the Wayne County Fair this past year,” Taylor explained.


This interaction got the ball rolling and encouraged Taylor to sign up to represent her county. Beyond having to secure some financial sponsorships prior to attending the state competition, as a queen, there isn’t a set list of things Taylor is required to do to promote agriculture around the county. It’s up to her to decide how to best spend her time.


“Since I received the title… I have visited some local businesses, attended the Ashland County Farm Bureau Annual Member Appreciation Pancake Breakfast, and [Ohio] Beef Expo,” she stated.

Going and competing at the state level proved to be an amazing and memorable experience for Taylor. She was able to cultivate new friendships with other women there, all because of the common fire for agriculture that burns among them.
What areas were participants at the contest evaluated on?

During the two days that the state competition ran, county queens had eight different opportunities to strut their stuff. There were traditional pageant-like categories such as “Photogenic,” “Formal Wear,” and “Ag Wear.” Then there were others, as in an interview with the judges, giving an introduction to the audience, and a written essay. Participants also had the challenge of not only having to give a prepared speech but an impromptu one as well!


Taylor had the great honor of earning 2nd place in the photogenic division. But out of all these, what was her favorite category? “My favorite category was Ag Wear because I decided to dress up as an A2 Holstein cow to represent the dairy industry,” she said.

Taylor’s costume choice, An A2 cow…one of the latest & greatest trends in dairy! (Photo courtesy of Taylor Dawson. Used with permission.)

Awesome costume, what a great choice!

Did you know that women and girls of all ages are invited to participate in the Miss Agriculture USA contest? They really do have a division for everyone, eleven in total… starting with the Baby category, for the littlest farm girls, age 0-23 months… all the way up to Elite Ms., for any woman 31 years plus, wanting to AGvocate with passion.
It depends on where life takes her next, but Taylor would definitely consider competing again in the future.

She plans to graduate with her Associate Degree in the spring of 2020, and then manage a small agribusiness. She also has a special love for assisting FFA and 4-H youth members with their projects and helping them achieve success.
Taylor has a wealth of diverse experience behind her, which includes working with many livestock species. She’s well versed in milking cows and even knows a thing or two about processing and bottling that milk. Got questions about how to best show your lambs, beef cattle, or swine this fair season? Taylor’s got you covered!

This summer, she is keeping busy and interning locally with the Centerra Co-op.
Interested in following along with Taylor’s adventures as Ashland County Miss Agriculture USA? You’re invited to connect with her on Instagram at ashlandmissagricultureusa.

For complete info on becoming a queen for agriculture, visit the program website at http://www.missagricultureusa.org and follow them on Facebook. Thank you, Taylor, for sharing your story with us, and for being a bold proponent of the industry that feeds us all!


References

Program | United States. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.missagricultureusa.org/

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Send it out! Why Hire a Writer to Free Up Time & Grow Your Business

By Kim Buddington

Why Hire a Copywriter?

Sure, you can write your business promotions yourself. Plenty of small business owners do it. But is it really the best option? Could your agribusiness benefit from the skills of an outside writer?


Image is Everything

Your potential customers are judging your company on outward appearance and first impressions. Like it or not, that’s just how it goes. Unfortunately, plenty of things have the potential to turn people away, and pleasing everyone isn’t reality. So take control of the factors that you can! Don’t let sloppy writing or outdated web pages give folks a glaring reason to buy elsewhere.

Explore your options. You can tackle written content creation on your own. Do some research on how to make pitches sound better, and then put your nose to the grindstone. Or you can hire a writer to lend their input, pen (or keyboard), wordsmith skills, and they’ll get the job done for you.


Outsiders See Things

As a small business owner, you experience intimate involvement with every aspect of your operation. You may think that because of this intricate knowledge, the prose of your promotional campaigns is foolproof and crystal clear. This isn’t always the case though. When talking about cattle, for example, you know very well what a heifer calf is. Not everyone who comes across your website knows this, however. If you define technical details in more general terms so that all of your potential customers will understand, great!


The problem is that you may not even realize when your writing is too technical, simply because you live and breathe that stuff every day. When you hire an outsider to write for you, they will pick up on potential confusion points in printed copy. Just something as simple as this can mean the difference between a new loyal patron for you, or steering someone away.


If you are responsible for doing the writing for your business, have you ever tried to make a piece sound better, but just stared at a blank page for hours because you just couldn’t think of anything new? An independent writer brings a whole different perspective with them. Who knows, just an unrelated set of eyes and mind could be that breakthrough your business has been needing.


For the Sake of Your Time Budget

You know it’s true. Your time is extremely valuable. Time is a resource that is in short supply and you have to budget it wisely. Is devoting the hours required to produce quality writing for your business the best use of your time? This is a personal question only you can evaluate and answer.

Maybe you love writing, maybe it’s one of the things you enjoy most about being an entrepreneur. Maybe you’ve been getting fabulous results with what you’ve scribed. If that’s true for you, excellent! You should go write on and (speaking of time use…) not waste any more of it reading this post! 😉


But if there are just so many other things that need to be attended to in order to keep your business profitable, and you’re always coming up short on time, seriously consider having someone assist you with your writing. Even if it’s just the content for one of your marketing channels, it’s one less this thing to do.


Your Mental Sanity

This goes along with the last point, but are you struggling to stay sane with all the demands life throws at you? If all the writing required to make your business stand out is taking a toll on your mental state, outsourcing can be a lifesaver. There is a lot to consider when writing. Will the wording catch my reader’s attention? Did I put enough out on social media this week? Is my grammar solid? Am I consistent, etc, etc. This can certainly be stress inducing, so give some thought to reducing tension where possible and recruit writing help.


Good Writing is a Good Investment

With as big of a role that the internet plays in business and marketing today, think of good writing as a good investment for the future. Quality content becomes part of your brand, and helps form that image that will stick with your customers. If you haven’t done so already, make today the day you start taking the written promotions for your farm business seriously. You can’t afford to not put your very best face forward when marketing your agricultural business. Make sure the pride you take in your work comes through loud and clear in your words.


Ready for Sweet Savannah Writing Service to help make your business soar with the power of words? Click here to get started!