Dispatches from the dairy farm.

Max and Cindy Harrold from Creswell: Their history, their land, and their way of life.

How did you come to be a dairy farmer?

“My grandfather started milking cows in 1946, and my dad was two years old when they moved here. So my dad grew up here, and so did I. That’s how I got my start, and I never really wanted to do anything else, so it’s worked out for me so far. My family seems to be all right with the hours I put in, and we like the life.” -- Max

What is your relationship with the land you farm?

“This family land is vital to our operation. We need the ground for the heifers to graze grass on in the spring and summer, and in the fall we grow forage on it to feed the milk cows. If you don’t take care of the land it’s not going to miraculously sprout up and give back to you. It’s a give and take situation all year long.” -- Cindy

Why are you willing to work as hard as you do?

“We do this work for the love of the animals and the way of life. There is something about producing a food product. It feels good when you do it right. And I don’t think the average consumer knows that dairy farmers feel that feeling every single day. We live it.” --Max

Back to top