Sometimes, the best adventures start with a bit of spontaneity. For me, it was a “wild hair” moment that led to a life-changing addition to our homestead: a family cow. I’m incredibly grateful to have a husband who embraces my impulsive ideas, especially when they lead to something as wonderful as fresh milk straight from our backyard.
Our farm had been home for almost a year when the idea of a milk cow truly took root. Instead of easing Ryan into the concept, I took a slightly more… direct approach. “We’re just going to go see her,” I casually mentioned one day. What I conveniently left out was the minor detail that “seeing her” actually meant taking possession of a cow I had already secretly purchased. Now, Ryan had always dreamed of having cattle, though perhaps envisioned beef cows rather than a dairy breed. But a cow is a cow, right? At least, that’s the logic I used to justify bringing home such a large surprise. It wasn’t quite the same as the time I adopted a dog without prior consultation, but definitely a step up in scale – and moo-power.
Alt text: A Jersey cow with a light brown coat stands in a grassy pasture, looking directly at the camera with a gentle expression. The cow is well-fed and healthy, showcasing the quintessential image of a family milk cow.
Let’s rewind a bit to the origin of this bovine adventure. We were introduced to Marie and her husband when they came to quote us for some fencing work. (And for anyone in Whatcom County needing fencing, Aussie Fence is truly top-notch.) We instantly connected with Marie and Steve, and I found myself secretly envious of their farm life, filled with goats, beef cattle, and – crucially – milk cows. At the time, we were raising two bottle calves, and the kids eagerly showed them off to Marie, proud of our small farm beginnings.
A few days later, Marie reached out about a milk cow she needed to rehome. Suddenly, my mind was flooded with images of homemade cheese, creamy butter, rich ice cream – the possibilities seemed endless! The practicalities, however, were less idyllic. We had barely half an acre fenced, certainly not a setup for a dairy cow. Memories of my brother-in-law expertly milking family cows during my sister’s children’s younger years surfaced, reminding me of the skills and experience involved. What we lacked was infrastructure, a husband with dairy cow experience, and, well, proper fencing. Minor details, as they say.
Alt text: A young girl in a pink jacket gently pets the face of a brown and white family cow in a farm setting, highlighting the gentle nature of dairy cows and their suitability for families.
Yet, practicality took a backseat to impulse. I simply wanted to meet this cow, and perhaps, spend more time with my new friend Marie. Framing it as a cow-meeting mission seemed like a reasonable approach. Little did we know, we were about to fall head over heels for a gentle giant who patiently tolerated our boisterous four-year-old, brimming with endless questions. When we sampled the milk back home, it was a taste of pure nostalgia, instantly transporting me back to childhood and solidifying my resolve.
By this point, I had informed Ryan about Marie’s cow needing a new home, keeping the details deliberately vague. But, armed with fresh cream for his morning coffee, I launched my rationalization strategy. I calculated our expenses on milk replacer for our calves and cleverly suggested we could offset those costs by using milk from our own cow. Ingenious, right?
Undeterred by the February rain and freezing temperatures, we embarked on fencing two acres for this “dang cow” that had already captured the hearts of myself and the kids. One night, we sent the children to Grandma and Grandpa’s for a sleepover and tackled the fencing project under the beam of headlamps in a downpour, using our son’s mini quad bike to haul supplies. It was a testament to our commitment, fueled by the promise of fresh milk and homemade dairy delights.
Alt text: Two people are working on a farm fence in a rural landscape, illustrating the labor and preparation involved in setting up a suitable environment for a family cow.
Our makeshift milking parlor emerged from a cement floor shed. We added a rubber mat and a feed bunker, creating a functional, if not fancy, space. For the next nine months, we milked our cow daily, until she was dried off for the winter. Nine months of rich cream for coffee, butter stockpiled in the freezer, homemade yogurt, kefir, endless mozzarella, and skim milk for the pigs. Nine months of hand-milking, yielding three to four gallons each day. Nine months spent listening to the contented munching of our cow while the children played nearby. Every minute with that spoiled, opinionated bovine was a joy.
Embracing a family cow is not for the faint of heart. We discovered countless uses for the milk, ensuring none went to waste. The commitment meant finding a reliable milker when I was away, as Ryan was yet to learn the art of milking. It meant early mornings to milk before any outings and prompt returns from events to ensure she was fed and watered. It also meant nightly kitchen cleanups to create space for straining and storing the daily milk bounty.
This commitment was the price we gladly paid for the old-fashioned practice of keeping a family cow. And to this day, I have zero regrets about those shed-bound moments or the invaluable gift of teaching our children about raising and growing their own food. As Jill from the Prairie Homestead aptly puts it, we are striving to be “Old Fashioned on purpose.”
Alt text: A close-up shot of a stainless steel milk bucket filled with fresh, creamy milk from a family cow, emphasizing the tangible reward of having a dairy cow.
Alt text: Homemade butter and cheese are displayed on a wooden cutting board, showcasing the delicious and wholesome products that can be made from family cow milk.
Alt text: A glass jar of creamy, homemade yogurt sits on a kitchen counter, highlighting another benefit of having a family cow and access to fresh milk.
Alt text: A family stands in a pasture with their family cow, children are petting the cow, illustrating the family bonding and educational aspects of raising a family milk cow.
Alt text: A person is hand-milking a family cow in a simple milking setup, demonstrating the traditional method of obtaining milk from a dairy cow.
