From a dairy farm in Lebanon, PA

“The wonderful world that I am surrounded by as I walk into our barn. Cows eating their feed, their graceful, dairy necks sloping down as they grab a mouthful from the mound of forages in front of them. The calm, relaxed cows lay, contently, in their stalls, chewing their cud. Maternity pens, with fresh straw, for the mothers in waiting. The miracle of birth, watching the new calf take her first breath and blink her eyes for the first time, lifting a wet head up off the straw. A beautiful sunset over a promising field of green corn. “To be successful the first thing you have to do is fall in love with your work.” Sister Mary Lauretta. My husband and I both started our dairy farm as first time farmers in 2001. We both came from a farm background, with the ambition to start our own. As I think back on the past 18 years of living this lifestyle, I am so thankful for the opportunity we have, and the fact we were able to raise our children around dairy cattle. The love of animals all of our children have is because of this lifestyle. Working to raise healthy, beautiful animals is hard work, but immensely rewarding. It is so special to see our kids excited about a new calf born from a cow they raised as their 4-h project. They have learned that there are hardships and frustrations in farming, but it does make the successes so much sweeter” – Risser Family