Tour Groups, Milk Bottling, Growing Corn and other Farm Activities

I would like to share what's been happening on our farm in recent weeks. . .

We've hosted some open days, several tour groups and a country wedding at the farm. . .

A day camp group takes a ride around the farm

A frequent visitor at our farm, Mickey, says hi to a favorite cow, Sassy

Having fun on our playground after touring the dairy

Lad gives Cow Train rides during one of our open days

My Dad, Tony, sharing info about the calves with visitors

This nice couple had their wedding at our farm!

It's been very wet, one of the wettest June's on record in the Cleveland area. Our corn is growing but could use several days of sunshine. . .

   
We're in our sixth month of bottling milk at our new on-farm Rowdy Cow Creamery. We feature different flavors each week like strawberry and orange cream. Stay tuned, we're adding four new flavors this summer. . . .

Bottling strawberry milk

Our delicious orange cream milk tastes like summer!

Garrett and Jack are busy working with their 4-H animals. . . .

Garrett with his beautiful red & white Holstein heifer, Vanessa

Garrett showed Lilly at the Fair last year and looks forward to exhibiting her again

My youngest son, Jack, stays busy around the farm . . .

Jack working with his Dad

He's a good caretaker of the farm cats

Our girls . . . .

The fan keeps these cows cool on a warm summer day

Garrett with his first 4-H animal, Lucy, after she had her first calf

One of our favorites, Hannah

Selecting 4-H Animals for the County Fair

Each spring, we select 4-H animals the boys, and others from the Geauga Dairymen 4-H club, will exhibit at the Geauga County Fair. It's always a fun process for our family.

Garrett, Jack, and Lad look at the heifers (and the heifers look at them!)

Jack finds one he especially likes!

The Hastings men

Garrett checks in on his first 4-H animal, Lucy, who is due to calve in June

Jack with the March calf he picked

The boys will work with these animals all summer, teaching them to walk with a halter, grooming them and providing the care they need to grow and thrive. In early September, they will take them to the Fair to show with other 4-H members in our county. It's a lot of work and fun, overall a great learning experience.

County Fair Time!

My sons took dairy cattle to the county fair last week. They spent lots of time working with their animals over the summer; brushing them, teaching them to walk with a halter, clipping them, etc. After all the preparation, it's very exciting taking the animals to the fair! They looked so nice and did well adjusting to being away from home. It was a fun-filled five days. . . .

Garrett and Jack spent lots of time at the farm preparing their animals for fair

The boys give their animals a hair cut to make them look nice for the fair

The Geauga Dairymen 4-H Club display looked nice

Club Leader, Emma, helps Garrett groom Vanessa in preparation for the show

Garrett and Jack are ready to head into the show ring

Lad looks over Garrett's heifer, Vanessa, before he goes in to show

The Judge talks with Garrett during Showmanship

Garrett had two heifers competing for Jr Champion; his fellow 4-H member, Vince, leads Vanessa

Vanessa won Reserve Jr Champion at the 4-H Show!

Jack leads Daisy around the show ring - it was his first time showing and he did great!

Paul, Jack and Vince showing heifers from our farm

Thanks to Cherokee Demolition for purchasing the club's Dairy Basket

Jack relaxes with Daisy

When the dairy show is over, it's time time relax a little and have some fun. . . .

The men chat while on barn duty

They had a blast playing in the hay - Jack likes to be the life of the party

Joking around with Shock Gum

Good friends

Jack brings his heifer out to show classmates and teachers from his school

Jack showing Daisy to his friend, Anna

Garrett and the other club members help a neighbor milk his cows one evening

Jack on his favorite ride; the YoYo

Jack bungee jumps with his buddy Louie

I serve on the local Farm Bureau board, so I worked at the display tent during the fair. . .

Kids loved milking the cow!

The combine at the Farm Bureau display is a big hit!

Being involved in 4-H and participating in the fair is a great experience for young people. They learn about caring for animals, responsibility, teamwork, and develop friendships. They also have the opportunity to share information about dairy farming with the public. Many people stop to ask questions about the dairy animals during the fair. It's great to talk with others and share the story of dairy farming.

The County Fair – Generations of Showing Cattle

This week is The Great Geauga County Fair. My sons will be exhibiting some dairy heifers at the fair. They look forward to the fair every year, just like I did when I was younger. It takes hard work to get the animals ready, but it’s all worth it to show them off and spend the week at the fair!

Our families have been showing dairy cattle at the county fair for generations. . . .

Me showing at the Tulare County Fair in 1982

My husband, Lad, at the Wayne County Fair

My mom, Carolyn, with Judy who was Jr Champion Guernsey at the Sacramento Co. Fair

My dad, Tony, (3rd from right) showing with Riverdale FFA

Lad's mom, Pat, won 1st in Showmanship with Peppy in August 1962

Lad's dad, Duane, with Comet who was Jr Champion at Wayne County Fair in 1954

My sons are carrying on the family tradition. Check back a week or two to see pictures and results from the fair.