The Bovine Bugle

Back in the mud again

For the past two days, things had been pretty frozen up around here. Today it has warmed up enough to thaw out the ground and make mud. I'd much rather be traveling around the barn on nice frozen ground and by tonight things will be that way again.

After hustling through chores this morning, Karen and I headed into Burlington to do a little, I hate to say it, early Christmas shopping, and to deliver 8 turkeys to a customer living in the Burlington area. I always feel like I'm doing something illegal when I meet someone in a store parking lot and hastily transfer a box or boxes of beef or poultry from my car to the trunk of a waiting vehicle. As I recieve payment for the "goods" I expect the "meat police" to jump out and arrest me.

The customer, who had brought along his 21-month-old son, thanked us for saving him some driving and said he appreciated the work we do raising such good, wholesome food. We chatted about society's general lack of concern about where their food comes from and what they put into their bodies. Our customer even quipped that, "People take better care of their cars than they do of themselves."

People will pay more money for cars, houses, clothes, or vacations, but when it comes to spending a little more on organic food, then the price is too high. Often it takes illness or health problems to make someone change to a healthier diet.

After having such a positive interaction with one of our customers, it gives our sense of self-worth a big boost and sends us home ready to get back to work on the farm. Even in the mud and grayness of November.

--Jonathan, Howmars Farm
Franklin, Vermont

Learn about other organic dairy farmers and the Organic Valley family of farms.

Posted by Blogger Chris at November 17, 2004 08:32 PM