Balancing life responsibilities can be a challenge for anyone, and those in the dairy farming industry are no exception. In a recent Professional Dairy Producers Dairy Signal webinar, three dairy farmers, Sandy Larson, Heather Moore and Suzanne Vold, provided a glimpse into their daily lives and shared their experiences, highlighting the delicate balance between work, family and community commitments.
The Faces of Modern Dairy Farming
Sandy Larson is a pivotal figure at Larson Acres in Evansville, Wis., where three generations work together to care for 2,800 cows on more than 5,000 acres. Larson’s engagement extends beyond farming; she’s involved in local and national agricultural boards, providing insight into the ever-evolving world of agronomy and dairy production.
Heather Moore co-owns several businesses, including Moore Family Farms and Moore Family Farms Creamery in Maquoketa, Iowa. Her journey began with a small herd of 35 cows and has grown to include a multitude of livestock and a successful creamery. Moore balances these demanding ventures while raising five children, demonstrating her dedication to both her family and the agricultural community.
Suzanne Vold operates Dorrich Dairy in Glenwood, Minn., along with her husband and brother-in-law. Managing 500 cows with robotic milkers, Vold is heavily involved in sustainability efforts through her work on various national dairy boards, striving to create a future for the industry that balances tradition with technological advancement.
Raising the Next Generation
A recurring theme for these women is how they involve their children on the farm while allowing them the freedom to discover their interests. Vold, for example, has encouraged her children to pursue activities and experiences outside of farming, creating a neutral attitude toward agriculture, where support is given regardless of their career choice.
“I don’t think any of my kids are going to be joining our farm at least full time, and that’s perfectly okay,” she says. “I think we have raised them, as my husband says, with a neutral attitude toward agriculture, that if they want to be part of the farm, that’s amazing, we will work to find a spot for them. If they have something else that they really want to do with their life, we’ll support that 100%.”
Moore emphasizes the importance of supporting her children’s passions, just as they support her work on the farm. Whether it’s attending soccer games or getting involved in their interests, her approach highlights the mutual support required within the family unit.
“We kind of viewed our job is to create an atmosphere that potentially, they would like to come back to as an employee, as an owner, but if they don’t come back, then, you know, we want to make those positions attractive for other people to kind of continue this legacy, whether it’s in our family or if it’s within trusted employees,” Moore says, noting that her kids are still too young to know what their future will include.
Larson shares how her kids were busy in 4-H and sports, but she was anxious about how they would be part of the farm on a regular basis.
“I was really anxious about that. How was I going to accomplish that? I didn’t get them on a schedule, maybe on weekends or something, but they did feed calves, or they were out in the fields, or mowing the lawn,” she says. “Somehow I’ve gotten my kids to enter that direction.”
Juggling Community Involvement and Business
Community involvement is another aspect where these women excel. They actively participate in local events and industry committees, each sharing their strategies for managing these additional roles. Vold highlights the importance of finding volunteer opportunities that align with her interests, where everyone is committed and pulls their weight.
Moore stresses the significance of surrounding herself with reliable individuals who can share the load, whether it’s employees on the farm or partners in volunteer ventures. She also emphasizes being honest about what one can take on, ensuring she supports the community in ways that don’t overstretch her resources.
Finding Balance
It’s clear that finding equilibrium in all these aspects of life is a common struggle. Larson, Moore and Vold agree on one thing: No one can do it all at once. It’s about selecting meaningful commitments, setting boundaries and being realistic about your limits. They remind us that achieving a balance between family, business and community is more of an art than a science, requiring constant adjustment and reassessment.
The insights from these three not only paint a picture of life on the modern dairy farm but also provide inspiration for anyone striving to balance the competing demands of life, work and community involvement.
To watch the entire webinar that includes a deeper conversation on work-life balance with these three farmers, go to The Dairy Signal | PDP
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