DC Family Farm

People ask us all the time "How did you get started with your farm and the cows?"

Did we grow up on a farm?
Nope

Did you ever work on a farm? Nope

Know people with dairy cows to get you started?
Nope

This was never something that we expected to get into. I mean dairy cows REALLY?

So how did we get started?

Well, it started with Grammie suggesting that the kids start with 4-H. Mainly Nicholas as Tiffani was the sports gal like her Mother. We found a club near us that we signed up for and really enjoyed. I, Michelle, became the club leader for the photography class. The kids started small with photography and tractors and soon added chickens. A few years passed and our awesome leaders at the time came up to us one day and said, "you all are gonna do dairy cows".

WHAT?!?!?! Did we know what we were getting ourselves into? Absolutely not. But hey, how hard can it be? The kids picked out their calves and took care of them for 5-6 months before the fair came around. This was a great way for the kids to learn about life and having responsibilities.

The first year was pretty simple. The kids picked out two holstein bull calves each, one for showmanship and the other for the breed class. It was a great first season and we really had a great time. I really started to love the idea of owning cows. I mean who wouldn't! 🤣

The second year came and we went to a brown swiss dairy farm to pick out the kids next project calves. Mind you, we went there to only get the calves for the kids. They had all the babies in their hutches but one caught my eye.....this cute little calf looked at me and our eyes connected. I asked if that calf was for sale and he said yes. Little did I know it was a heifer! Tiffani was game for showing a heifer as well that year as well so we loaded her up and took her home along with the other bull calves. I decided to name her Daisy.

Of course I helped with the feeding as the calves were still on milk. Daisy was such a picky girl. You HAD to leave your finger in her mouth while drinking from the bucket as that was the only way she would drink her milk. She was and still is a stubborn girl but I loved her.

She is 7 years old now and will be 8 in November. She has given us 3 beautiful heifer calves and still brings a smile to my face every time I see her.

We are so blessed to have this beautiful life and have the opportunity to care for these precious animals. And we can't do that without the help and support from all of our wonderful people!

So there you have it. That is the story of how our farm began. So the next time your 4-H leader tells you to have to kids show dairy cows, just be prepared to fall in love and have many of your own!

Alabama is taking proactive steps to keep New World Screwworm (NWS) out of our state. In response to the recent detection in Texas and New Mexico, enhanced interstate movement requirements for warm-blooded animals, including equine, livestock and companion animals, are being put in place for animals entering Alabama from the infested states.

These measures are designed to protect animal health, strengthen biosecurity and safeguard Alabama agriculture. If you suspect an animal may have NWS, please call the State Veterinarian’s Office at 334-240-7253 or email [email protected].

For more information visit, agi.alabama.gov/nws