When we meet new people and they find out that we’re organic livestock farmers, there’s often a look of intrigue that’s closely followed by a little confusion.
Farming isn’t a particularly common career path. So, we expect follow up questions. Like “What do you grow?” “How many animals do you have?” “How big is your farm?” Naturally, we sail right through these.
But, there’s one question that we get during these introductory conversations that stumps us every time. And it’s this: “Do you ever get attached to the animals?”
It sounds like the type of question that we “should” have a well rehearsed, canned response for by now. But we don’t…which means every time we get it, we stumble and meander.
We thought a lot about it this week. And here’s what we wish we had the clarity to share everytime that question came up: Yes! We are absolutely attached to our animals.
But, it’s a different kind of attachment than what you might imagine it to be. It’s not like what we feel for our fellow humans. And while it might resemble the attachment one might have for a pet, it’s not quite like that either.
It’s hard to describe, but we know it’s there for us, always. It’s what gets us up bright and early to go check on the pig with the sore on his ear, or the sow with the limp. Or in the middle of the night to carefully monitor the laboring sows. At it’s essence, its this attachment that motivates us to do right by the animals, every day.
To be a livestock farmer on our farm, at least, is to be attached to the animals’ life, the animals’ death, and everything in between. We can’t imagine this life or this work, without it.
Your farmers,
Jenney & Greg
PS- We just opened up orders for Thanksgiving turkeys!! We only take pre-orders for 125 birds each year and believe it or not, we have just 50 spots left! You can read more about our turkeys and place your deposit for a gorgeous pasture raised organic turkey HERE.