Each year that I’ve been an undergraduate student at Cornell, my Sigma Alpha chapter has put on an event that we like to call “The Art of Agriculture.”

When I was 8 years old, a tiny, premature calf was born that I absolutely fell in love with. Her body was somewhat average in size, but her legs were short and stubby

For generations of Schmitt men (my grandpa, dad, brother, and hopefully, my nephews), their hands have told the story of dairy farming

As winter turns into spring, we try to catch up on many random projects around the farm

To say that the last year has changed everything would be an understatement; however, slowly but surely, we will all be able to see again

Much like a pop quiz, regular state and federal inspections keep dairy farmers on their toes

It’s National FFA Week – a time to honor the organization that has shaped countless students

Whether it’s extreme heat in the summer, extended rainy periods in the spring, or plummeting temperatures in the winter, weather dictates every animal’s needs and a farmer’s daily routine

The other night, our robotic milkers called 36 times with one alarm or another. My dad got an early start on morning milking simply because he had been up since 11 p.m. the night prior tending to the robots

The “farm kid” identity definitely carries a weighted list of stereotypes — some may be perceived as negative while others prove to be a positive in the job and internship search

Dear farmers/caretakers/blood, sweat and tear givers, I see you at the wee hours of the morning thawing waterers of ice.

If one of your resolutions for 2021 is to take better care of your mind, you have a tasty option: eat more cheese

I’ve had the same sticker on the back window of my now-rusted-out Pontiac G6 for 10 years

My view today is filled with rain, snow, sleet, and lots of fog (because that’s Midwest weather for you)

It seems like everything I see, hear, or read about these days is building momentum toward the impending holiday season

Newborn calves are an everyday occurrence on our family’s farm. Each one has its own unique pedigree, birth story, personality, and set of quirks

When fun shenanigans, team camaraderie, and years of dedicated work come together, it has the ability to cement lifelong friendships and a lifestyle you can’t ignore

One of my best friends told me she wanted the full farm experience, so I invited her to stay on our acreage and dive into farm life in abundant and not-so-glamorous ways

Some students have known since kindergarten what they want to be when they grow up

Dear K, Remember when you said you would never live on a dairy farm when you grew up? I'll end the suspense — you end up marrying a dairy farmer!