Can you imagine only getting one cup of milk out of each of your cows every day? For many people in Kenya and South Sudan, that is reality. Not only that, but many of them have never heard the name of Jesus Christ, let alone the Gospel.

Alan Reed was looking for options. Early last spring, he attended a presentation at the United Dairymen of Idaho offices featuring University of Minnesota dairy economist Marin Bozic.

Thirty years ago, Dale Mortimer started milking five Jersey cows with his wife, Doris, after he moved to the outskirts of Rigby, Idaho, to raise his family. With the help of his dad, Mortimer says he was very selective when he picked out his original five cows because he wanted to start with good foundation cows.

Dairy producers are held to high standards. Day after day, farmers are expected to produce consistently high-quality milk. Working with their employees and business partners, they strive to reproduce results seamlessly, fine-tuning and improving management practices when required.

1. You have a ton of places to hide gifts. The hayloft, an unused grain bin, and the baler you won’t be using until next summer are all great places to hide gifts until the big day. Shh, don’t tell my kids.

Whenever anyone says they just “love” snow, I always think, “They never had to get cows milked through a snowstorm.” I am not a total curmudgeon about seeing a few snowflakes, and I do think snow scenes can be pretty, but the reality is: Snow robs many hours each year because farmers have to deal with the snow as an additional chore during an already busy day.

I had started the milking early on Christmas morning so the family wouldn’t have to wait long to open presents. On the way to the parlor, I passed the sick pen. 1225 sat in the dim light, her eyes sunken and her chin in the straw.

Management of any farm is crucial for long-term success. Swiss Lane Farm of Alto, Michigan, may not have found the special sauce yet, but they are striving to “successfully and happily redeem the equity of the three senior partners”.

Christmas 1988 is a Christmas I’ll never forget. It certainly is one of the best ones I’ve ever had. It is such a unique one that every time I think back to it, I can’t help smiling and thanking God for His great goodness to me. This is not your typical Christmas story.

If Santa were a farmer, people might actually believe their food came from somewhere other than the grocery store. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been torn. Now, I don’t want to break anyone’s ideas or tell you Santa actually does or doesn’t exist, but what always makes me curious is: Do you think Santa could be a farmer or not?