November has disappeared and somehow, there’s only 23 days until Christmas! I am so proud of my 30 Days of Dairy series and was secretly hoping to feature 15 dairy farmers. The response from my fellow dairy farmers was amazing and I was able to share thirty-four (34) stories with you!
My inspiration for this project was the video, “A Youthful Return to Farming.” that was featured on USA Today. The video highlights millennial dairy farmers Andy and Sarah Birch of Maple Grove Farms. I showcased those individuals in the millennial generation (born in 1980’s to early 2000’s) who are diving head first into the dairy profession. The average age of the dairy farmers I featured was 32 and they were from 13 different states and Canada. WOW!
If you missed a story, I encourage you to check each one out (entire listing is below), follow their blogs and them on social media. I hope I was able to introduce you to real people, in real places, with a real passion for producing real food.
I hope you have enjoyed my 30 Days of Dairy and thank you again for following.
Mary
Share with us in the comments: What is one thing you learned from our 30 Days of Dairy Series?
Our entire 30 Days of Dairy Line-up:
Sarah & Andy Birch – Derby, VT – the dairy farmers that were my inspiration for the 30 Days of Dairy!
Melissa Collman – Boring, OR – an organic dairy farmer from the West Coast!
Macy Sarbacker – Belleville, WI – a blogger, editor and dairy farmer from American’s Dairyland!
Karen Bohnert – East Moline, IL – a very talented writer, Mom and Jersey lover from my state!
Lisa Myers – Hamstead, MD – one of my best friends that moved back home to run their dairy!
Rebecca Schlehlein – Platteville, WI – a dedicated farm employee that loves her Brown Swiss!
Heather Moore – Maquoketa, IA – Special Events Coordinator turned Dairy Farmer!
Katie Dotterer-Pyle – Union Bridge, MD – Spanish teacher and dairy farmer that makes sure her cows enjoy their stay!
Brent Pollard – Rockford, IL – an innovative dairy farmer who loves to tinker with things.
Krista Stauffer – Washington – a 1st generation dairy farmer and very talented AGvogate for the dairy industry!
Diane Loew – Byron, MI – a writer, blogger and dairy farmer from Michigan!
Nicole Fletcher – Southampton, MA – a Cabot Creamery dairy that milks Holsteins & Jersey’s!
Elinor Opitz – Maple Lake, MN – a young lady just starting her Ayrshire dairy!
Alise Sjostrom – Brooten, MN – one of the readheads behind Redhead Creamery!
Tara McIntosh – Ontario, Canada – our only dairy farmer featured from Canada!
Jenna Kilgus – Fairbury, IL – a Jersey dairy farmer that bottles their own homogenized milk!
Will Gilmer – Sulligent, AL – our only dairy farmer from the “south”!
Gene Zimmerman – Colby, WI – our only dairy goat farmer featured this month!
Darleen Moore-Sichley – Oregon – a Mom, AGvocate and Gurnsey dairy farmer!
Michelle Eilenstine – Mountain Grove, MO – a dairy farmer & University of Missouri grad!
Jenni Tilton-Flood – Clinton, Maine – a Cabot Creamery dairy that milks 3400 Holsteins!
Kalli Ehrhardt – Baldwin, MD – A Mom and dairy farmer!
Craig Swenson – River Fall, WI – a dairy farmer who loves his red & whites!
Katie Harris – Washington – a mom & dairy farmer from Western Washington!
Annaliese Wegner – Ettrick, WI – the Modern-day Farm Chick!
Morgan Kliebenstein – Darlington, WI – a dairy farmer, Genex employee, Mom & wife!
Matt & Joe Engel – Hampshire, IL – the brother behind Luck-E Holsteins!
Stephanie Aves – Popular Grove, IL – a dairy farmer & agriculture teacher!
Beverly Donovan – Benton, Maine – a dairy farmer & accountant!
Sadie Frericks – Melrose, MN – a dedicated AGvocate, dairy farmer, mom & wife!
Greg Schulte – Darlington, WI – the cheesemaker at Brunkow Cheese!
Katie Deslippe – St Mary Ontario – a young lady that loves everything about dairy!
Carrie Mess – Lake Mills, WI – the well-known AGvocate Dairy Carrie!
Matt Mackinson – Pontiac, IL – my brother!
For a listing of all the 30 Days Bloggers that Holly Spangler rounded up, visit here.
Betsy says
Loved hearing how dairy farming is changing. My family had a dairy in Alaska when my mother was a child.
manda says
I learned about the issues facing farming today.
cmh627 says
I learned that dairy farming can be a tedious process.