I went from being a third-generation dairy farmer with my family on the farm I grew up on to a first-generation dairy farmer in 2009. In 2021, I left the dairy farm I helped start and co-owned for 12 years. A year later, the most common question I am asked is, “Are you going back to the family farm?”
Short answer: No, I’m not allowed. Wait, what?
Fast facts about my family farm:
- Approximately 1,000 milking cows
- Farms over 3,000 acres
- Employs about 40
- Made of up three generations
- My grandparents started the farm in 1951
- The second generation is my father and my uncle (each had three kids)
- The third generation is my brother, sister, two cousins and one non-family member
When my life started coming apart at the seams a few years ago, I went to Florida for some palm tree therapy (seven days). While there, my dad called me and asked what I was doing down there. I explained the personal details and turmoil, and he got very quiet and then asked, “Well, what are you going to do, Kate? Where are you going to go?” I answered tearfully, “I don’t know yet, Dad. Can I come home?” He told me he was going to have to run it by the family and they would vote on it.
Vote on it? People ask this incredulously when I try to explain this. Yes, vote on it. You see, when someone mentions the word “farm” or “farming,” most think of the animals, the chores, etc. What people overlook is: Farms are businesses first. This had been drilled into my brain since as long as I can remember growing up on the dairy. My dad and uncle made sure we all understood that while farming can be fun, at the end of the day, you have to make a profit, just like any other business in order to keep going.
Dad called me the next day and told me the family had voted that neither I, nor my cousin Jenn, could return. Jenn and I are both the oldest of our families and had left the farm years ago. This decision made it equal for both sides of the family. My family farm is very structured and has always had a succession/transition plan in place. I’m proud of them for keeping it up-to-date and working with helpful professionals to guide their decision-making over the years in order to ensure the farm is viable for future generations. To stay viable means treating the farm as more than just a farm, but a business that not only is profitable but works well together internally.
Was I upset? Of course I was, for like 48 hours. Where I was at emotionally and mentally in my life, at that time, I think it just hurt more than anything. But I quickly reminded myself that it’s a business first. They didn’t make that decision to spite me. They did it to protect the business and what had already been established. It blows my mind the number of farms who don’t have a succession plan in place. Why wouldn’t you want to protect what you’ve worked so hard for? The conversations are tough but worthwhile in the long run.
However, my dad has always reminded us that, “Nothing is more constant than change,” and to be open to change whatever it may be. Could things change down the road? Will there perhaps be a future opportunity for my cousin and I to return? Possibly. Maybe. But for now, I’m happy to still be close to my family and still part of the dairy industry, enjoying what I’m doing – teaching online Spanish classes I created specifically for the dairy/ag industry to help bridge the communication gap and working with companies to advocate for agriculture. I am still very close to my family and respect their decision. I also will jump at the chance when my brother calls to see if I’ll run a grain cart during harvest.
