Why is it important you might ask? It’s important to know how your food is being produced. To know that the American farmer produces the safest food in the world.
This is one of the reasons I feel so passionate about this little blog that I write. I want you to know that we, as dairy farmers {Dominic is a 4th generation Dairyman}, care. We care for our cows. We respect our cows. Farming is in our blood. We respect and sustain the land that we farm on. For our family. For you. For the future generations that will hopefully be able to continue this important legacy of farming.
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| Dominic moving a newborn calf to the calf barn "nursery". |
If it weren’t for farming, my dad may not have decided to come to America from the tiny Azores island of Sao Jorge where he was born and raised. He came to this country 54 years ago and after a short two month stint at a sheep farm, he found work as a Milker at the Peters Dairy in Sebastopol , CA. A farmer gave him his first American job. I know he was grateful back then and I am grateful because come to think of it, I could have grown up into a little Portuguese mama living on that tiny island 900 miles away from the mainland instead of the California girl I am. Phew! {not that there’s anything wrong with being a little Portuguese mama}
Farming is important. For the farmer, for the farm worker, for the world. We love what we do and we love that we help feed the world.
If you're from California {or even if you're not}, you might want to check out this website "Know A California Farmer". This is a new interactive website that launched September 1st which contains blogs, pictures, and videos posted by farmers and ranchers about themselves and what they do - from wine growers to dairy farmers. My friend, Katie, from North Dakota had a hand in putting it together and I think it will be a great asset to CA residents.
Happy Tuesday!
Well, I say thank you for all y'all do for us!
ReplyDeleteYeah! I went to the "Know a California Farmer" website and the first photo that popped up on the left-hand side was that of Paige feeding a calf a bottle. Perhaps she will be a 5th generation dairy farmer?: Yeah Paige!
ReplyDeleteOops! I meant to say right-hand side. Is it time to put the kids to bed yet? We enjoy all your posts Nancy and we appreciate all that you and Dominic do! Behind a strong man is an even stronger woman! Happy Farming!
ReplyDeleteNancy, I absolutely love and hugely respect your family's work, dairy farming history and the work you do day in and day out to help raise the safest milk supply. I started following your blog just before I was a part of the effort to help the family farmers and ranchers of California launch the Know A California Farmer web site. I already knew there were California farmers telling their stories like yourself but we just needed a tool for more farmers to get engaged. It has been a wonderful project to see come together and I hope people that are curious to know where their food comes from check it out daily!
ReplyDeleteThanks again.
Katie
Brigit, So glad you checked out the new Know your CA Farmer website....I believe it will be a great tool for the public to use:)
ReplyDeleteKatie, you guys did such a great job getting the new website up and running! Thank you for all that YOU do for all farmers nationwide:)
hey, they should do this for WA state. although i know alot of our farmers since they are also part-time employees here.
ReplyDeletebut thank you for what you do and your mission to be sustainable. and im glad you didnt end up on a tiny island 900 miles away!
I wish I knew who my farmer was- When we lived in Toronto we used to get our meat from a farmer and it was amazing- We've used Winder Farms delivery but stopped because I found it more of a hassle then not-
ReplyDeletewe shop at our farmers market weekly-
I'm gonna have to check that out. But, as of now your family is my farmer!
ReplyDeleteAwwwh, thanks Pat:)
ReplyDeleteNancy
ReplyDeleteI did a search on Peters Diary and came across your blog. My Grandfather was John Peters who owned the ranch. I spent many a day watching the milking of the cows. I read with interest that you father got his 1st farming job at the Peters Ranch. Especially the connection to Portugal since my grandfather was born there.
Mike
Mike, it's so good to hear from you! So glad you found my story about my dad finding his job in
ReplyDeleteAmerica at your grandfather's dairy:)
Nancy
ReplyDeleteWhat was your fathers name?
Mike