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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Apr 23 2014 : 10:05:56 PM
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As we head into summer and maybe a vacation or two, what do people pay others who come in and help with farm chores and/or milking? How do you find someone who can or will help with the farm? We don't leave often but sometimes desire to get away for a day or two. We love vacationing up at Priest Lake, Idaho...in fact, our children are the fourth generation to vacation there! |
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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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Apr 24 2014 : 09:16:24 AM
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Priest Lake is gorgeous! Lucky you.
I ran an ad on Craigslist for a substitute milker and was contacted by a man who works at Wilbur-Ellis (in the office there) who grew up on a Jersey dairy farm and misses milking. He's since become a friend and remains available to help us out occasionally. We haven't had him out for a long time, since last spring if I remember correctly, but it's nice to know we have a back-up should we need it.
Gotta love the work ethic of someone who grew up on a dairy farm. During the dead of winter over Christmas break 2012, he showed up at 4 a.m. (like clockwork) so he could still get to his day job on time. He even milked Christmas morning for us that year! Since we were out of town, I asked him what the plan was if he got sick (should he train his wife?) and he replied, "Not a problem, unless I'm dead, I'll be here. That's how I grew up. You get the milking done, then you crawl into bed." |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Apr 24 2014 : 8:33:12 PM
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Now that is the ideal substitute milker!! |
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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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 01 2014 : 06:19:54 AM
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I wonder if that nice man could be cloned! |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Sep 01 2014 : 06:34:43 AM
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Unfortunately, his wife got a job in Seattle (she's a biologist) and they moved. Maybe big city life won't work out for them and they'll be back. The rubber band effect seems to play out more often than not around here. I'll remain hopeful:) |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 01 2014 : 12:51:07 PM
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I have been very blessed so far. Our good friends have many daughters who have taken a licking to me. Elaine ( my partner and wife ) is disabled so when I have to go anywhere the youngest girl comes out and runs the place. She is a doll and if you look in the dictionary for the word ranch/farm girl you will se Her picture there. (Haha) She would make a great story! |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Sep 01 2014 : 8:05:38 PM
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I should say so! Lucky you. Do any of the girls want to move to Idaho:) |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 01 2014 : 8:15:51 PM
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If there were any suitable husbands they might. Lol.. There are 3 single girls left ages 28,22, and 17. We have a man shortage here in SD. Lol.. Hands off the 17 year old! She holds it togetherness here..:) |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Sep 01 2014 : 10:01:25 PM
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I can find her one:) |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 02 2014 : 06:47:30 AM
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I will let 2 of the girls know there could be some work available in Id. Lol.. Such special people they all are. 9 children home schooled and raised for the most part in a 100 year old ranch house on the prairie. They love and respect Mom and Dad a love and like each other. I am always inspired by that family.
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With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Sep 02 2014 : 07:12:57 AM
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I love witnessing families that pull it off like that. So inspiring indeed. |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 02 2014 : 1:46:34 PM
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When I moved out here in 2010 I had never met folks like this and never knew what that it existed. I am so blessed they adopted me and bless me with their company. Last week the girls came over and helped am can baked beans and eggplant, this week we are doing beets and squash. The girls also come and help Elaine. There are just some things I struggle with doing for a disabled wife. Lord knows I am lucky She stands my cooking hahaha |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Sep 02 2014 : 2:26:54 PM
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Well, we know she gets good Mascarpone. What a sweet hubby you are! |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 02 2014 : 2:43:54 PM
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Sweet I do not think describe it. Determined. Lol..happy wife....happy life! |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Sep 04 2014 : 09:03:24 AM
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Love hearing this story about your wife and the sweet, encouraging family you have been blessed with. We have a special needs daughter and the help we've received has so appreciated! Makes you appreciate the smallest blessings of life, huh?
If some of the daughters of your neighbor's family ever migrate out to Idaho...we have extra guest bedrooms that are available! We've had lots of young ladies stay with us over the years! In fact, our summer boarder is just leaving for Seattle this weekend and we are really going to miss her! |
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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Ron
4666 Posts
Ronnie
Peever
SD
USA
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Posted - Sep 04 2014 : 10:07:12 AM
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I will let them know. 2 of the girls might be making it out to Pocatello for some treatments in the next week or so for maybe a month and I am encouraging them to make a trip up to Moscow for a visit. If they come you can't keep them. LOL |
With a moo moo here and a moo moo there, here a moo, there a moo, everywhere a moo moo. |
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happyfarmwife
64 Posts
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Posted - May 20 2015 : 10:11:44 AM
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IN our part of the world, east central Oklahoma, a farm sitter charges about $25 per trip and if the travel time is more than 15 minutes, they charge mileage. Some charge as high as $100 per day if it's a big project with lots of chores and special needs animals.
Often you can contact the Ag department at your local high school and find a dependable student with FFA or 4-H experience that can be trusted to critter sit for you. A glowing recommendation from the Ag teacher, FFA leader or 4-H leader goes a long way toward your peace of mind and the confidence that the young person has resources available in case there is an emergency or something comes up beyond their experience level.
You can also check with your veterinarian. Some vets have apprentice positions available and those vet students are always in need of some extra cash and can be trusted to care for your livestock in your absence.
I trade out with our daughter who lives about 5 miles away but when she's not available, I stay home! Which is why I offer my services as a critter sitter....My price is variable depending on travel time, how much time it will take to care for all the chores and how detailed are the needs and the needs of the person involved. Milking several goats will take a lot more commitment and care than feeding the chickens and throwing hay to the cows. Death in the family pricing is totally different than caring for critters while someone goes to Vegas to play! |
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wimofarms
6 Posts
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Posted - Jun 11 2015 : 11:16:16 PM
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Hi MaryJane & CloversMum - This is COMPLETELY off topic, but I can't believe you both know Priest Lake!! I've been going there and camping since 1975 and my parents lived there up until my dad's death in 2010. Mom still has her place, but rents it out now as she moved here to CO to be near me and my kiddos. WOW - I knew I felt drawn to this group, but that is just so awesome.
Cheers, Mo :) |
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maryjane
7074 Posts
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Posted - Jun 12 2015 : 06:06:54 AM
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Priest Lake is one of many of Idaho's most-beautiful-places-on-Earth. Welcome Mo, fellow Priest Lake lover!!! |
MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~ |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Jun 12 2015 : 12:13:09 PM
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Hello Mo,
Yes, we LOVE Priest Lake! And planning on having a family reunion up there later this summer, in fact. Where is your favorite spot to camp? We always camp at Luby Bay...best beach for kids ever! And, does your mom rent her place out short term?
Welcome to the Chatroom, another one of my favorites! I've learned lots here. |
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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wimofarms
6 Posts
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Posted - Jun 13 2015 : 9:12:55 PM
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Hello again girls! WOW - I can't believe I've found women who love Jerseys AND love Priest Lake! CloversMum - we must've come across each other sometime over the last few decades since we've nearly exclusively camped at Luby Bay when we go camping. Mom's place is jogging distance from Luby; when we camped, I'd go for a jog in the mornings down the lake path north to their place. Their place is right above the marina (Priest Lake Marina) off of Kalispell Bay Road. She currently has the place rented year-round, but they've mentioned they may move out in mid-summer. If that happens, most likely she'll look to rent it as a vacation rental for the summer and then look for a full time renter again come fall.
I'm so tickled to take advantage of the collective knowledge of the group and probably even cross-register my few girls. Some are registered currently with the AJCA. I really wish that temperament testing were required for bulls since we like to keep a bull with our small group of girls but they can be freaky. I also have a cow that I've never been able to get pregnant and I JUST found out she carries something called JH1 - it's a haplotype passed down from a bull from a very long time ago and I'm wondering if my current bull carries the same haplotype. I'll go to the welcome forum and write a little ditty about who I am there to properly introduce myself to everyone too. I was just so incredibly tickled to see someone mention Priest Lake - that place is such a huge part of my life. :) |
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CloversMum
3486 Posts
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Posted - Jun 16 2015 : 08:40:31 AM
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Mo, This is truly amazing! Wouldn't it be funny if we discovered that we had even camped next to each other some time the past decades? Please message me if your mom wants to rent her place out towards the end of July! We've picked many a huckleberry on the lake path towards Priest Lake Marina. Yes, Priest Lake is also a huge part of my family's life, too!
Can you explain more about JH1? I looked up the definition of haplotype and it said: A haplotype is a group of genes within an organism that was inherited together from a single parent. How does JH1 prevent pregnancy? |
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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