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Andrea0509
155 Posts
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 Posted - Sep 24 2015 : 07:59:56 AM
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Hey fellow cow lovers!
My husband and I bought our first house this year; a 1905 farmhouse on a couple acres that used to be a dairy farm back in the day. I've been planning and dreaming of my little farm since I was in high school as an active 4H club member and developed a passion for learning about all things homesteading. The past couple years I've been reading up on keeping a family milk cow and knew it was something I definitely wanted to pursue once we were able.
We just got our sweet Miss Persimmon this summer and so far so good! She's a 3 year old Jersey, 43-44" tall (per previous owner, I need to measure her), so just at the mark between mini and mid sized. She's black/dark brown in color and has a beautiful orange dorsal stripe, which is what she's named after :) She's never been bred as the previous family intended to keep her as their family milk cow, but didn't have the time. I've been tracking her cycles and am hopeful to try AI in October. I can't wait until she's bred and has her calf next year!
I had never heard of the Milk Cow Kitchen book until the family we bought our cow from told me. They brought the latest copy of the MJF magazine to give to us and recommend the book as a must-have resource...of course I ordered it! It's been SO helpful these past few weeks as our girl has been getting settled in. I pick it up almost daily and have learned so much from it already - thanks Mary Jane!!
We have a 4 year old daughter and a 2 year old son, both of which are loving living in the country and having all these critters around. We also have 2 Old English Southdown "Babydoll" ewes, 2 standard rex rabbits (my daughter's pets), and our sweet Golden Retriever. Next to come are some laying hens.
I'm so thankful for this organization and all the work Mary Jane has put into it. Thankful for a place us newbies can ask questions too! 
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Hobby farming with my husband & two kids in beautiful Michigan ~ 1 Jersey; Miss Persimmon, 2 Olde English Southdown ewes; Lula & Clementine, and chickens to come Spring 2016. Loving the adventure! |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Sep 24 2015 : 08:19:09 AM
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A warm welcome from Idaho!
This is a wonderful group from which to share your experiences, learn from others, laugh at crazy jokes, and make some wonderful friendships.
The name Persimmon is lovely and so is your sweet cow. We have five children, some grown and my youngest is 9 yo. Living in the country has been one of the best things our family has ever done! Perfect place to raise children.
Welcome and don't be shy about jumping right into any of the conversations!! |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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kimlohr67@aol.com
6 Posts
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Posted - Sep 24 2015 : 08:43:04 AM
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Welcome Andrea. I am new here too and also live in Michigan, but I don't have a milk cow yet. Sounds like you have a beautiful farm and I'm sure your new cow will be perfect for you and your family.
Looking forward to updates when she is bred and has her calf. In the meantime you get to set-up your milking area and other fun things...I'm jealous. Enjoy! |
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NellieBelle
11214 Posts
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Posted - Sep 24 2015 : 08:55:08 AM
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| Welcome Andrea and family! This is so awesome, so many new members, starting out on their milk cow journey, new life adventures. Two lovely children and Miss Persimmon, what a little sweetheart. Love her little white markings around the end of her nose. Can't wait to hear how your AI goes this coming month if it all works out. We hope to hear much more from you in the future. |
To laugh is human but to moo is bovine. Author Unknown |
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Andrea0509
155 Posts
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Posted - Sep 24 2015 : 5:04:01 PM
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Thanks so much for the warm welcome CloversMum, KimLohr and NellieBelle
You're all so sweet! It will be fun following along in your milk cow adventures as well. I love that everyone has different experiences to bring to the group and that we can bounce ideas off one another! So much fun! |
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txbikergirl
3197 Posts
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Posted - Sep 24 2015 : 6:46:37 PM
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welcome from texas! your cow and babies are adorable ;>
people here are the best, so generous with their knowledge and kind as well. lots of fun too!
congrats on your cow, i don't have mine at home yet but will in a week! go get your hens, after the cow you'll find them easy peasy. |
_(199x300)_(66x100).jpg?v 93697001) Firefly Hollow Farm , our little farmstead. Farmgirl living in the green piney woods of East Texas on 23 acres with a few jerseys, too many chickens, a pair of pugs and my Texan hubby (aka "lover boy") |
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maryjane
7072 Posts
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Posted - Sep 25 2015 : 8:40:31 PM
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Welcome Andrea! I too bought a 1905 farmhouse (on 5 acres) many years ago with the exact same dreams you have. How about that look of wonder on your children's faces standing next to their family cow? What you're giving them is VERY important.
Miss Persimmon is beautiful. I love a dorsal stripe on a cow. Little Elsa has just the opposite, a dark dorsal on a light coat. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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SpringMaiden1
27 Posts
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Posted - Sep 26 2015 : 08:53:24 AM
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| Welcome Andrea, I am also new as you have read and thank you for the welcome. Well, you are further along than txbikergirl and me, but not for long. We are all so excited and it's so nice to have this fine group of people who do have experience. I have a 4 yr old granddaughter and a 2 yr old grandson who I am excited will learn all kinds of wonderful things when staying with me. I also have Golden Retrievers. See everything we have in common. Lol! Just wish I was younger! Welcome to the group! |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 26 2015 : 10:26:25 AM
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Welcome from South Dakota! I think I'm here by accident but seemed like a great crowd so I stay...or at least they ain't run me out yet.
Looks like you have a great family and great cow too! Looking forward to seeing you daily! |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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Andrea0509
155 Posts
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Posted - Sep 27 2015 : 11:48:10 AM
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Thanks so much SpringMaiden, Ron, Mary Jane & txbikergirl!
SpringMaiden - How fun that you have grandkids the same age as my kids! If they're anything like my two, they'll just adore your cow when you get her! Especially the 4 year old! My daughter goes out to the pasture with me almost every night and brings her brushes down to give Percy a good brushing...safe to say that they both love it. Percy's head droops so low she's basically resting her chin on the ground she's so relaxed. :) Love that you have Goldens too, aren't they the best dogs? Such great temperaments around kids especially.
Ron - Thanks for the welcome - so funny! That's nice of them to not kick you out! haha :)
Mary Jane - Love that you started out in an old farmhouse too. We've already learned so much as we've begun some remodel projects. Best part is making it our own as a family :) Thanks for the welcome - so glad to have found this group!
txbikergirl - Thanks! And I bet you're right with the chickens being so much easier than the cow! We're making progress on our coop/run this weekend :) |
Edited by - Andrea0509 on Sep 27 2015 12:06:12 PM |
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GingerBKelly
274 Posts
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Posted - Sep 28 2015 : 09:08:46 AM
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Hello Andrea! It's my pleasure to meet another Jersey girl  . I see our hopes and dreams are quite similar. Welcome to Jersey.org, a great place to be (thanks to Mary Jane and company)!
Miss Persimmon is absolutely adorable. OMG....I am in love with your sweet cowgirl and cowboy! Your farm is absolutely fantastic. I know you are so proud and happy to be living your dream.
I also LOVE your 4-H dream! 4-H is a special love of mine too as a long time ago I was a 4-H leader of a fine group of young'uns.
Absolutely, the Milk Cow Kitchen book is a one-in-a-million awesome book for the zillions of us who either are lucky enough to live the backyard Jersey cow dream or simply just dream about backyard cows and all sorts of yummy dairy things. Either way, it's a lovely kind of life, indeed!
I look forward to reading more of your questions and posts. |
~Ginger Kelly, Kelly Homestead Apiary, Charlton, MA~.jpg?v 26652890) gingerbkelly@gmail.comWhen a cow laughs, does milk come out her nose? ~Author Unknown
Check us out on FB: https://www.facebook.com/KellyHomesteadApiary/ |
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Andrea0509
155 Posts
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Posted - Sep 29 2015 : 09:10:35 AM
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| Thanks Ginger ~ I enjoyed reading your post! Always great to meet a fellow 4-H alum! I'm a big supporter of the organization as it made such a positive impact on me as I grew up :) |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Sep 30 2015 : 4:02:13 PM
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I, too, was in 4-H growing up and I do believe the things I learned there stuck with me much better than most things I learned in school. :-) Unfortunately, the local 4-H program seems to be dwindling, except for the animal part. But we used to have a 4 hour modeling show for our sewing projects and an entire building at the county fair dedicated just to 4-H. Now all the 4-H projects are all just in a corner of that same building.
But the animal husbandry program is still strong ... I think there were at least 70 pigs shown for 4-H projects this year and the entire community really supports the auction of all the animals.
I've so appreciated all the leadership and demonstration skills taught in 4-H! Glad to hear from a couple of other 4-h'ers. |
Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens |
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Newbie cow lover ~ Hi from Michigan!
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