COW, the loss of an intimate bond

My interest in cows was birthed when I began spending time on my partner’s farm. First intimidated by these large animals, I stood back and watched as the subtle dance of connection took place. The steadiness of cow as it waited for milking to begin. The soft words and touch from farmer, moving from one cow to the next. I was amazed by the interaction between farmer and cow, the way they seemed to communicate, the intimate relationship they seemed to have.. A dance of connection that only the observer could behold.  As if both cow and farmer knew their lives depended on the other …rich creamy milk, exchanged for lush green pastures. The bond was undeniable.

But with retirement on the horizon, ending a forty- year career as a small herd dairy farmer, all of this would soon be gone. Gone like the many other small dairy farms that once were a vital part of our state, our communities and our families.  The beauty of the Vermont landscape dotted with Jersey and Holstein cows, the close knit farming communities that provided a sense of belonging, the identity of the dairy farmer along with his/her passion for the work, all soon to be lost to large commercial farms of more than 1000 cows. With the increased prices of farm equipment, grain, and the likes, with farmers who are now past the age of being able to continue the work, and with the younger generation moving on, caught in the midst of a new technological world, we face a very real loss of a life I fear will soon be forgotten.

Although I appreciate the need for change and advancement, I am deeply saddened by what Vermont has lost, and continues to lose, in the decline of our small family dairy farms. Our children are losing outdoor playgrounds once provided by pastures and hay barns, the outdoor adventures that nurture creative imagination. Living with cows our children learn the responsibility of caring for the very animals that provide food for our tables, they witness the cycle of life, the rewards of hard work, and they learn the importance of land stewardship. Through the intimate connection with the dairy cow our children learn empathy and compassion, and develop a greater understanding of the role that animals play in our lives.

 The dairy cow was once considered a vital member of the family, not only for food production and land management but also for companionship. The bond between these gentle animals and their farming families provided a deep sense of security. Possibly it is my own sentimentality and resistance to change, but let us not forget the instrumental role the dairy cow has played in our lives and the goodness of life that small dairy farms once provided so many Vermont families.

  It is my hope that this body of work will open a window for reflection and perhaps sew seeds of inspiration for a new generation of small herd dairy farmers.