As dairy farmers with herds entrusted to our care, I think we all felt the same sense of dread at the news of the wildfires. The pit in the bottom of your stomach; the catch in the back of your throat; the thought that you never want to face that same nightmare.
This week brought warmth to my heart as story after story was reported of the relief the agricultural community was sending to the affected areas. Truck loads of hay from every direction and corner of the United Sates. Trailers filled to the brim with milk replacer and fencing supplies. Everyone coming together to help in anyway that they could, both near and far.
As these stories were shared and donations kept rolling in, it was interesting to read the comments on these actions. Outsiders questioned why farmers and ranchers from the across the country would pitch in for those they don’t even know. And I had to stop and reflect on these thoughts myself.
It’s just what we do, no questions asked. There’s no thought to what we will get in return. No need for recognition or even a minute of spotlight. It is just a part of being a member of the agricultural community. I hadn’t realized before actually stopping to think about it how unique that is.
Whether it is locally or across the country. Wildfire, barn fire, farming accident, or Mother Nature’s wrath. When the call comes for help, the agriculture community answers. Because we all know how easily next time it could be us making the same call.
No questions asked. It’s almost a code rooted in our very being. An important part of our upbringing and one I am glad to teach to my boys. We help our neighbors and the agriculture community as a whole. It’s just what we do.
The author is a third-generation dairy farmer from Oregon where she farms in partnership with her husband and parents. As a mother of two young boys who round out the family run operation as micro managers, Darleen blogs about the three generations of her family working together at Guernsey Dairy Mama. Abiqua Acres Mann's Guernsey Dairy is currently home to 90 registered Guernseys and is in the process of transitioning to a robotic milking system.