Homesteader from Arizona
Aug 3, 2012 0:06:26 GMT -5
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Post by sarahcountrymomma on Aug 3, 2012 0:06:26 GMT -5
I have been a member of the forum for 3 months now, but have never officially posted who I am.. It seems like most of you guys on here already know each other, so I thought I better post. Sorry I did it backwards!
My name is Sarah from southern Arizona. It has been my life long dream to have a milk cow, & live on a farm:) Up to this point my husband has been finishing school, then establishing a business. We bought 5 acres, got a couple dogs and cats, planted a large garden, fruit trees, got chickens, a couple milk goats, a horse, working up to the grand finally... a family MILK COW!!! I got her from a herd of Brown Swiss in the Phoenix area (the only one in Az that I'm aware of). The farmer raises them for a hobby (along with dairying a herd of holsteins) and shows them nationally. My Abilene was not national quality so I was fortunate enough to buy her (for a pretty penny) from him. Which took some convincing.. Anyway, I brought her home to my family of 9 (7 kids), never been touched except for the week before when the farmer taught her what a halter was. I (with no experience except with goats) taught her to walk on a lead, and be hand milked. Looking back I can't believe I did that:/ The process has been difficult and for a while there I was REALLY discouraged! Felt like a failure & like I had no business putting my family in danger. We've been kicked, stepped on, almost fallen on, walked away from (in the middle of milking), charged at, head butted, pooped on, peed on, etc.. But now, I think we've finally got an understanding of who each other are. And we appreciate each other:) I'm impressed with her patience & perseverance. I learn a lot by watching her.. It helps too, that the milking time has cut back from 1-1/2 hrs (at worst) to 10 minutes (at best).. Now I'm living my dream.. We are pretty much self sufficient and working working working running a farm:) My husband has been very supportive with this venture, but is too busy with his over full time job. So farm work is done by me and the kids. Occasionally I feel very inadequate & get mad I put myself in this situation, but the great majority of the time I love it and find the lifestyle peaceful and fulfilling. There's nothing quite like being in nature surrounded by plants, animals, & children playing around you. It brings me closer to my creator & always reminds me to appreciate the simple things that bring most joy.
This forum has been very helpful, & really fun to read.. It seems like you all are pretty close. I keep wondering if it's because of the forum or if you knew each other in "real life". Anyway, thanks for sharing your cow & homesteading adventures with me.. You're inspiring. It's really helpful to know I'm not alone! I look forward to knowing you all better:)
~Sarah
My name is Sarah from southern Arizona. It has been my life long dream to have a milk cow, & live on a farm:) Up to this point my husband has been finishing school, then establishing a business. We bought 5 acres, got a couple dogs and cats, planted a large garden, fruit trees, got chickens, a couple milk goats, a horse, working up to the grand finally... a family MILK COW!!! I got her from a herd of Brown Swiss in the Phoenix area (the only one in Az that I'm aware of). The farmer raises them for a hobby (along with dairying a herd of holsteins) and shows them nationally. My Abilene was not national quality so I was fortunate enough to buy her (for a pretty penny) from him. Which took some convincing.. Anyway, I brought her home to my family of 9 (7 kids), never been touched except for the week before when the farmer taught her what a halter was. I (with no experience except with goats) taught her to walk on a lead, and be hand milked. Looking back I can't believe I did that:/ The process has been difficult and for a while there I was REALLY discouraged! Felt like a failure & like I had no business putting my family in danger. We've been kicked, stepped on, almost fallen on, walked away from (in the middle of milking), charged at, head butted, pooped on, peed on, etc.. But now, I think we've finally got an understanding of who each other are. And we appreciate each other:) I'm impressed with her patience & perseverance. I learn a lot by watching her.. It helps too, that the milking time has cut back from 1-1/2 hrs (at worst) to 10 minutes (at best).. Now I'm living my dream.. We are pretty much self sufficient and working working working running a farm:) My husband has been very supportive with this venture, but is too busy with his over full time job. So farm work is done by me and the kids. Occasionally I feel very inadequate & get mad I put myself in this situation, but the great majority of the time I love it and find the lifestyle peaceful and fulfilling. There's nothing quite like being in nature surrounded by plants, animals, & children playing around you. It brings me closer to my creator & always reminds me to appreciate the simple things that bring most joy.
This forum has been very helpful, & really fun to read.. It seems like you all are pretty close. I keep wondering if it's because of the forum or if you knew each other in "real life". Anyway, thanks for sharing your cow & homesteading adventures with me.. You're inspiring. It's really helpful to know I'm not alone! I look forward to knowing you all better:)
~Sarah