Being Farm Kids

"I wasn't raised in a barn but I got here as fast as I could"

That definitely apply's to me. My first day in a barn didn't happen until I was 24 years old. My kids on the other hand don't know anything other than life on the farm. And I'm glad for that. For them.

My children have fallen asleep to the sound of pulsator's. They have crawled and learned to walk smack dab in the middle of the parlor. And they've been exposed to more germs in the first 12 months of life than you'd probably like to hear about.

My children have no idea that a lot of families have Saturdays and Sundays off or go on vacations to visit new places. They don't realize that most Dad's and Mom's who work can't take their kids with them. And learning to drive a tractor at 5 is not the norm.

Rain days are their favorite because Dad stays inside. They drink from the well and run around outside exploring until the bugs start to bite. And on good days they get hosed down in the milk house before they take a shower because Mom's tub just can't handle that much dirt.

My children are learning things before they even know they are being taught. Kindness, compassion, loss, independence.This is just life for them and I hope one day they find the beauty in it. I continue to learn every day with them and these memories we make remind me I don't want life any other way. For them or for me.

To see more of our farm or being a farm kid follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/michiganfarmgirl

This is me

I didn't grow up on any type of farm, my knowledge of livestock and crops was from a farm tour I took back in the first grade.

When I say my husband is determined, I don't say it lightly. He knew he wanted to be a dairy farmer from an early age and he worked so hard to get his own equipment and a barn to start in. I am sure our parents sometimes wish we had chosen a different path, but they support us and that means the world.

Three weeks after we said "I do" we started our own dairy farm.  Now all I talk about is cows, well my kids and cows.

We have three children, 6, 4 and 20 months. Having my children grow up on the farm is crazy, but in a good way. They are learning things that I hope they carry with them for life.

For me.... I work on the farm and most days with manure in my hair. I own more barn clothes than good clothes and when I put make-up on my kids think we are doing something special. 

This farm is far from perfect, but we are working at it day by day. Also, our farm doesn't operate like anyone else's so I'm not going to try and educate anyone. I just want to show you what we do, because I think our farm life is kind of cool.

Follow along daily on Facebook and Instagram @ Michigan Farm Girl

Farm on. -Nicole

Have passion

A friend of mine from high school commented a while back that it is hard to believe I am now a farmer. I would have to agree. But, I love being a dairy farmer. I never EVER would have predicted this would be my life or that I would feel so "passionate" about it.

Having your own business takes a lot out of you. It puts a lot of strain on your relationships. And when you feel like you are failing you need to rely on something. I have to be passionate about this life. I have to acknowledge and appreciate the love, dedication and hard work that we put in every day.

When I started farming I had absolutely no idea about anything. I had never touched a cow, owned a pair of rubber boots or fed a baby calf. It isn't just about having a few cows, squirting some milk and bringing in the dough. 

It's being 34 weeks pregnant and my husband had the flu and I milked the cows by myself. It's a business that doesn't close its doors when the owner is ill.
It's working two jobs off the farm and my daughter was at daycare for 11 hours because my husband was running the farm alone. So many of her milestones were witnessed by everyone except her parents.

Its friends who don't invite us out anymore because for years we just couldn't find the time (or energy). The wedding receptions we show up to when the food is put away (thank goodness for family members who save us a plate). And it's when my kids haven't seen their dad in a week because he is out in the fields.

If you own your own business these are the sacrifices that come with it. This is the choice we make.
So right now, when business isn't so good and every day I go out to the barn I lose a little more. Right now when I refuse to cut corners on cow feed or comfort but tell my family no to eating out. Right now it is passion keeping us going. Farm on.