Sunday, July 10, 2011

Return to Fair Oaks Farm

Pam, Stan, and I headed out this morning to visit Fair Oaks Farm.  I was there several weeks ago with Robyn and the grandgirls.  I thought they might enjoy the tour of this dairy establishment, and I was right.  With no little ones with us, we were able to do a few different things this time.
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I was able to visit the garden area, and enjoy all the blooming lilies…
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and sunflowers.
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Then it was on to the birthing barn.  With the large size of the farm, I believe they said there were up to 80 births a day.  In the viewable birthing barn, there are two stalls behind glass where visitors can watch the miracle of birth.  The mom an the left gave birth before we got there, but we were able to watch the entire birth of the calf on the right.
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The attendant had to break the water bag to help the birth move along.  Once she did that, things really moved along quickly.  After the attendant pulled the calf back into the straw, mom got busy cleaning the young one up and stimulating it.  What changes have occurred in the last 50 years.  When I was in a senior girl scout troop in high school, my parents had to sign a consent form for me to even watch a movie of a birth of a horse.  These days, families with children of all ages can view the birth of a cow.

Even though temps rose to 90, we had a great time down on the farm, and I purchased some more great cheeses made at Fair Oaks and some fresh honey butter.  I’m thinking that’s going to taste just fine on my toast tomorrow morning.  Smile

In the afternoon, we had been invited to Robyn’s and Dennis’ for their first official pool party.  With the high temps what could be better?  Robyn and Dennis put on a great dinner of New York BBQ chicken with home made potato salad and corn on the cob.  Why is it that food just tastes so much better when someone else is doing the cooking?   My oh my it was tasty!   Little Phoebe tried to help out by dumping a whole shaker full of pepper on the corn cobs!  She is a pistol!

It was so refreshing to take a dip in the pool before and after the BBQ, and the bugs left us alone.  No complaints about the whole day.  It was a good one.

                                                            THE END!   UGH!!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy
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16 comments:

  1. Chuck and Anneke's RV travelsJuly 10, 2011 at 11:12 PM

    Interesting farm tour. since I grew up on a farm and had to help with the birth process, along with many other processes, no permission slips were needed. Funny that kids would need permission to learn what life is all about:)

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  2. RobbieJuly 10, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    Many, many years ago as a young girl, I remember watching the birth of a calf on my grandparents farm..I miss those days!

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  3. Al BossenceJuly 11, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    That has always been one of the great mysteries in my life as well.....why does somebody else's cooking ALWAYS taste better than mine!!

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  4. Sam&Donna WeibelJuly 11, 2011 at 5:41 AM

    I don't miss anything about farm life, it was all hard work, Glad I chose a different career path. Looks like you had an enjoyable day. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..

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  5. Jim and SandieJuly 11, 2011 at 7:24 AM

    I grew up in a small town in farm country and had lots of friends out on farms. Used to visit them and got to see the births of many animals. Always enjoyed watching new life emerging. But it definitely was hard work and not for me. I'll definitely let somebody else do the cooking. Whether it tastes better or not. LOL

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  6. PhyllisJuly 11, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    My goodness, this would be a great place for take our almost 5 year old grand daughter.

    When we were in Gore, OK a few months ago on a NOMADS project we volunteered at a Boys Ranch. A cow had given birth and had no interest in the calf. So the poor thing was bottle fed for several days. They put both in a stall and eventually the new mother accepted him. We rejoiced when that happened.

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  7. Alan and Marilyn McMillanJuly 11, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    WOW, 80 calves a day...that seems like a lot, even for a dairy farm -- but what do I know??!! Beautiful pics of the flowers. I agree -- food ALWAYS tastes better when someone else does the cooking!

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  8. RickJuly 11, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Interesting post. I'd never be able to be a farmer, never!

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  9. pidgeJuly 11, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    I love cows. The whole birthing thing is very interesting. I could pull up a chair and watch the whole thing from beginning to end. Thanks for sharing and try to stay cool today. Our heat index down here will be 110*.

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  10. AnonymousJuly 11, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    I'm with Rick. I'd never be able to be a farmer. But, I'm sure glad that people do it. Where else would we get our food?

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  11. Paul and Marti DahlJuly 11, 2011 at 1:56 PM

    80 calfs a day, that's a lot of hamburgers! And how come they call them "ham" burgers, they should be called "cow" burgers?

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  12. UnknownJuly 11, 2011 at 9:27 PM

    That is a large operation. I think it is cool you got to watch a birth.

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  13. MerikayJuly 11, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    My only animal birth memories were of kittens. We had a momma cat that had a ne litter twice a year. Watched a few being bon.

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  14. Catherine, Jo Beth and GraceJuly 12, 2011 at 9:49 AM

    Sounds like a great educational experience. It fascinating to watch new life. 80/day is a lot of new life!

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  15. BarbJuly 12, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    I would love to see a calf born. Great photos! There's nothing like bbq chicken and corn on the cob, and you're right, especially if someone else is doing the cooking. Looks like an exceptional day! :)

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  16. Muffy's MarksJuly 12, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    What a beautiful experience to share with your grands! The miracle of life is a wonder!

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