Summer seems to be the time when farm life can take its greatest toll on our physical and mental health

Despite the fact that we’re a dwindling part of the population (which is a tragedy through my 25-year-old eyes), I’m always thrilled to come across a fellow farm kid

For the past seven years, I have volunteered at the Dairy Cow Birthing Center at the New York State Fair. When I get there, I promptly plop myself next to the calf pen, which is normally swamped with people

It was so wonderful to visit with my sister, Cathy, and her family. Last week I went back to my roots and visited my hometown of Bend, Ore

“How do you get through the days you don’t want to be at the dairy anymore?” I wasn’t even slightly surprised to get this question from a fellow dairy farmer on Instagram earlier...

Various authors and studies have likened willpower to a muscle. They have explained that it must be repeatedly practiced before it becomes stronger and the new habit second nature

Farmers do what they do because they love the job, but that doesn’t mean it’s not difficult

Here at Hillcrest Farms, we take pride in what we do. The good days, the bad days, the hot days, and the cold days

A dairy farm is not in the business of making milk. Say that out loud to yourself. A dairy farm is not in the business of making milk

Thanks to COVID-19 it is looking like all the summer fun has been canceled this year. I was doing alright with the restrictions, after all farm life mostly keeps us at home

A year can go by at record speed, or at least that is how it has felt this past year. Often days and nights intertwined, and somehow, the seasons flew to the next without us having much time to hit the...

For farmers, working with family can be an awesome blessing or one of life’s greatest challenges

It was a success and I still can’t believe it! If you had told me a few months ago that I was going to host a virtual tour for kids who couldn’t see the Dairy Council of California’s...

Our wedding anniversary is in June, on Flag Day to be exact, and two of our children were born in June as well. I was even told by my husband, while in labor with our two youngest children, "This isn't...

Two months. It’s been just over two months since I made the bold step of quitting my full-time, steady, and equally rewarding job as a youth 4-H educator (which I loved, by the way)

It has happened! I taught a child to drive a tractor (supervised, of course)! I am not sure I could be more proud!

This tumultuous last week has many feeling a little more than unsteady. The atmosphere in our country as a whole has been polarizing

Dear Jacob, A decade ago I introduced you to the world with my first "Around the Kitchen Table" column

This time of year typically involves graduation parties and family BBQs to kick off summer. Flowers are in bloom, the grass is getting green, and the corn is growing in early June in the Midwest

Is it worth it? Is it worth going head to head with animal activists? Are they worth the time it takes to have a conversation with them?