Sometimes the stars all align, and we find ourselves with some time off of the farm. We always take advantage of the time away to unplug, rejuvenate, and just generally relax. That time is so important, both mentally and physically, to give ourselves the much needed rest.
More often than not it seems during these vacation times we also find a way to visit other farms. The farm stops occur for a variety of reasons whether they are planned through a meeting or convention, or are just a quick stop along the way to see friends.
Visiting other farms seems to be a dairy farmer's ideal vacation.
One of my favorite things about the dairy industry is that it is so unique and individualized on each farm. While we all have the common goal of producing high-quality product, the way we go about that is always just slightly different. What works for one herd and one area may be something we've never considered on our own operations.
Each farm we visit is the opportunity to learn and grow. That is another one of my favorite things about this industry . . . we are always searching for ways to improve. In making these stops and exploring new ideas, we may find a new tip, trick, or technique to employ on our own farms.
An added bonus is that I don't know a dairy farmer out there that doesn't enjoy the opportunity to talk farming. The art of "farmer talk" seems to be a prerequisite for dairy farming.
When I think about it, I'm sometimes surprised that any work actually gets done with so many people stopping by, from salesmen to visitors. These conversations are so much more than just killing time though. Forging friendships, sharing a lifestyle; these conversations are the heart of every farm visit.
While nonfarming friends and family might think we are a little crazy for not even being able to get away from farm life while on vacation, these dairy farmer vacations have provided some of the best memories. Embrace and enjoy those opportunities because you never know what you might discover on your travels!
Darleen Sichley
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.
