The challenges facing today’s dairy farmers are vastly different from those of previous generations. Rising costs, environmental regulations and technological advancements have created a complex and competitive environment. For the next generation poised to take over family dairy farms, financial literacy is not just an asset; it is a necessity.

Never underestimate the power of establishing clear expectations and accountability. It may take a little extra time in the beginning, but it will save you a lot of time and heartache in the long run.

Owl boxes, which are small, usually wooden, boxes built to accommodate owl nesting, have been utilized on agricultural land to help with the reduction of voles and the damage they cause. Studies by the University of Idaho show that an average barn owl family (two adults and five owlets) nesting near agricultural land can consume over 2,000 voles within three months. Barn owlets alone can eat about three voles a day until they leave the nest.

They say that any two people are six or fewer social connections away from each other. In agriculture, I’d swear it’s two.

Since the turn of the century, sustainability has been integrated into business strategies, giving birth to the triple bottom line – people, planet and profit. This has expanded how people think about sustainability. It is more than environment and includes economic and social or societal dimensions.   

There are several keys to wedded bliss in a marriage where you both work on a farm or farm business. Keys like: Never go to bed angry, the family that prays together stays together, and never move cows together.

My hobby for the last few years has been quilt-making. My sisters and I have made 200 or 300 hand-quilted quilts.

As the National Farmers Union (NFU) often highlights, consolidation among agribusiness in American agriculture has had a disastrous effect on family farms. They point out how 85% of corn seed is controlled by only four firms, 85% of beef packing is likewise owned by four companies and 95% of large farm tractors are made by three multinationals. It’s worth pointing out that American farmers have come up against corporate interests before – and won.

At Jer-Lindy Farms, crops are grown, cows are cared for and milk is produced, much like many dairy farms across the nation. In addition to the conventional way of dairying, the Jennissen and Sjostrom families also turn their milk into cheese at the on-farm Redhead Creamery and make whey-based spirits, all while telling their story through public and private on-farm gatherings.