The first week of December means one major thing: the holiday season is upon us. Frankly, there have been holiday decorations in stores since the end of October, but I feel that the month of December is the true start to the holiday season.
In my hometown within rural California, a multitude of heartwarming traditions can be attributed to the holiday season, but my personal favorite would have to be baking. My family often gathers to bake cookies and treats to pass along to our neighbors during the holiday season, and on the top of our ingredient list sits several dairy products. Whether it’s heavy whipping cream, butter, or old-fashioned milk to drink alongside the cookies, the dairy product aisle gets seemingly wiped out during the holidays.
The holiday season often also calls for harsher weather conditions, and despite the weather, dairy farmers continue to work long days and nights to put these products on our shelves. With the elevated demand for dairy products in the coming couple of months, it’s important to look around and thank the people who continuously work to put those products on our shelves.
When we enter a season filled with joy and generosity, I find it crucial to spread that gratitude to the farmers that put the food on our plates. Whether it’s the cows on the farm or the farmers that work with them, their dedication is what makes some of our favorite holiday treats possible.
As I go home for the holiday season in a couple of weeks, I anxiously await the cookies and treats that I’ll be able to make with my family. At the same time, it’s undeniable that the hard work a dairy farmer endures is never done, and I find myself extremely grateful for each of them during this holiday season. It’s easy to thank your neighbor for those cookies but consider taking a moment to appreciate the fellow dairy farmers that make those cookies possible.
Morgan Oliveira was the 2024 Hoard’s Dairyman editorial intern. She grew up working on her family’s dairy farm near Hilmar, Calif. As a student at Cal Poly University, Oliveira is majoring in agriculture communications.
