Parker Farmstead, a Family Farm since 1870

With temperatures dipping into the 20’s and 30’s we’re still stoking fires in our three wood stoves. One outdoor stove heats our milkhouse & parlor. The other outdoor one warms most of our farmhouse, and we have a small one in our family room. For us, wood is a renewable resource with plentiful forests surrounding our farm. I’ll readily admit I’m terrible at building & keeping a fire in the house stove, and getting wood in isn’t my favorite chore. But, oh! the comfort of it’s heat and crackle of the burning logs.

Last fall we become a certified humane/animal welfare farm. Recently, the milk truck began picking up our milk everyday between 1-4 am so it can be processed and sold to customers who require this certification. Like most farmers, treating our animals with respect, understanding their needs, and providing a comfortable life for them is important. We have a written plan and processes in place to do so. We can expect at least an annual audit to maintain this certification.

We’re always amazed at the differing personalities & expressions our animals have. Some are more gentle, some aggressive. Some talk more, eat more, prefer hay & grass more than grain and vice versa. Some are frightened easily and some can’t get enough adventure and attention. Traits often run in families. One of our main jobs as farmers is to know the animal’s normal behavior so changes can be noted and acted on. For example, if an animal is becoming ill. Our animals know if we are tense and prefer a calm environment. Certain milk cows need the radio turned down when they enter the milking parlor and some need a reassuring pat while cleaning them before the milker goes on.

Our livestock have better quality of life and thrive when provided with adequate shelter, clean water, enough food, proper bedding, outdoor access, prompt treatment for illness, and a social life among their herd.

They return the favor in production, longevity and happy dances and kicks- like when they go to pasture, or get new bedding, and look at you with those soft brown eyes.