In recent years, more women have emerged as pivotal figures on U.S. dairy farms, breaking traditional gender roles and becoming the backbone of family-run agricultural businesses. One such woman is Rita Vander Kooi, a dairy farmer from Minnesota who has not only embraced her role but has flourished in it. Through her popular social media pages, “Married and Farming,” Vander Kooi also shares her life and passion for farming with an ever-growing audience.
The Family and the Farm
Vander Kooi works alongside her father-in-law, Dave, her husband, Joe, and their five children on their bustling family farm in Worthington, Minnesota. Together, they manage an operation that includes milking 2,500 cows and running a custom corn silage harvesting business, as well as a cash crop enterprise. The Ocheda Dairy’s unique beginnings trace back to Dave’s high school FFA project, where he bought a small group of cattle.
For the Vander Koois, the farm is more than just a business; it’s a way of life. Their biggest blessings are their children, aged 5 to 18, who work with them on the farm.
“Being together as a family is one of our greatest joys,” Vander Kooi says, highlighting the significance of family unity in their daily operations.
Evolving Roles on the Farm
As her children have grown older, Vander Kooi’s role on the farm has evolved considerably. While she treasures the moments spent at home as a full-time mom, she’s become increasingly active in the dairy’s daily operations.
“Being a mother will always be my greatest calling,” she emphasizes, reminding us of the delicate balance she maintains between motherhood and farming responsibilities.
In her day-to-day work, Vander Kooi collaborates closely with employees, overseeing the crucial care of newborn calves, pregnant heifers, and fresh cows. Her responsibilities also include coordinating with consultants and salespeople for farm meetings, managing payroll, and one of her favorite tasks – preparing delicious meals for everyone involved in their harvest season.
A Social Media Influence
While Vander Kooi wears many hats, including farmer, wife, and mother, her role as a social influencer has grown. Online she goes by the handle ‘Married and Farming’ and has garnered more than 34,000 followers on Facebook alone.
“I began my social media platform as a way to promote the goodness of rural America and farm life, and also as a way of recording the events of our farm and family,” she shares, noting that she began promoting dairy on social media after attending a Midwest Dairy workshop.
Although Vander Kooi admits that with the evolution of how consumers receive information, she set aside her blog page and has put the focus on social media, with a large emphasis on Facebook, along with Instagram.
“For the past two years, I have consistently posted a photo or video every day. It is part of my daily routine, and it really forces me to see things daily through the eyes of our consumers,” she shares. “It has led to many great conversations, friendships and opportunities.”
Engaging the Community
Vander Kooi doesn’t attempt to shove information in the face of the consumer; instead, she encourages them to think about issues and ideas.
“It is very humbling to have people I hardly know approach me to tell me how much they enjoy my content,” she shares. “It motivates me to continue even on the busiest of days.”
For Vander Kooi, the blessing isn’t in the sheer number of followers or views. It’s by opening her barn doors and sharing her farm’s good dairy story through social media that she is helping bring a positive light to agriculture. While this Minnesota dairy woman often straps on boots to head to the barn, Vander Kooi admits her inspiration for content is a whole family affair.
“My husband is the most supportive person I could ever imagine, and my older kids just make fun of me, often pretending they are creating content,” she says. “Our oldest son has a talent for photography, and I am so thankful he often sends me photos and videos from the field. Our oldest daughter helps me with tech needs and keeps me up to date on trends.”
At the end of the day, Vander Kooi finds her heart stretching wide, as she continues to build trust and promote the dairy industry positively, as well as continue to be the heartbeat of her family’s southwestern Minnesota farm. Through her dedication and passion, Vander Kooi exemplifies how women are reshaping the narrative of rural America and agriculture.
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