From my experience, I’ve gained so much more respect than I already did for these farmers. It’s not a hobby. It’s getting up before the sun rises and finishing after it sets. It’s going out every day despite the crazy Maine weather and regardless of the low milk prices and high feed costs. I wish I could have experienced sooner the blood, sweat, and tears that go into getting milk from farm to table. I wish everyone could witness how these amazing people, a minority, feed the majority. Just think, without milk there would be no whip cream for your pumpkin pie and that is something everyone should truly be thankful for. I know I’m thankful the long hours these farmers put in 365 days a year. I’m also thankful for the cows. I have so much admiration for these beautiful bovines and their ability to turn feed into milk. It’s an honor and a privilege to have their care entrusted to me and I feel so much pride and accomplishment making sure they thrive and succeed.
And although this is the first year I missed Thanksgiving with my family, it made me that much more thankful and grateful as many farmers have NEVER had a Thanksgiving with their family, nor have they been able to spend any holiday with the one’s they love (beside cows). And despite waking up early, the long hours at the barn, and the labor that goes into making a farm run smoothly, I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since the time I was little and I’m truly going to miss being a part of the UMADCOWS. I feel like I have found my place here at UMAINE and the cows will always have a special place in my heart, especially Renee and her under bite.