Days Like This...: Proud to be a Dairy Farmer.

As the new year is upon us (how the heck is it almost 2013?) I have been reflecting a lot on where I am at in my life and where I want to be. To be completely honest, I have no idea where life will take us in the next year, let alone 5 years, but I do know that I am really, truly happy with where I am in life today.

Lately, I have been making a conscious effort to live totally in the present and not stress about the things I can't control. I'm trying not to sweat the small stuff (easier said than done.)

A big part of this is soaking in the wonderful lifestyle I am privileged to have. I am beyond lucky that I get to wake up every day and hang out and care for wonderful animals. There is something so satisfying about getting up bright and early and heading to the barn.

Before I went to university and met J, I really had very little understanding as to what went into making a litre of milk. Its far more then just milking cows twice (or in some cases, three) times a day. Milking is the easy part, and the most predictable. So much revolves around the delicate balance that is managing a dairy. Everything from feed, field work, breeding, calf raising, bedding and round the clock care goes into that litre of milk.

Happy cows make milk. It is our job to ensure that our cows are as happy and comfortable as possible. And it such a satisfying job.

Dairy farmers are some of the most passionate people when it comes to their jobs. You have to be. Our job is 24 hours a day, 7 days a year.

Its hard for me to put into words the pride I feel to be able to call myself a dairy farmer. And I realize this post probably didn't do a very good job of it. I learn something new everyday, and am so excited that T will have an amazing understanding about where her food comes from. I only wish everyone could have this understanding.

And as an added bonus, I am surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in the world.