Yesterday I was thinking “why is it that I’m known for being such a strong person”. Why does everyone think I’m such a hard-working girl, why does everyone say “I’m tired already” when they see the landscape here? Then, I remembered! ahhh! I truly am “the grand(daughter) of a calfherder” which is what my maiden name really means–O’Leary. It’s not w/o a lot of hard work that I earned that name. LOL. So, now, when customers come, I try to look like I’m NOT WORKING AT ALL! They say “you choose your parents (grandparents). I just wish I knew my name MEANT “granddaughter of a calfherder” when I was little–I would’ve gone more willingly! Well, actually, at 12, I decided “to go willingly” into this great lifestyle that defines me. I have a taproot that penetrates far deeper than what I can describe to you. Yesterday, I actually tried to put myself in my place of my grandfather coming from Nova Scotia, with a borrowed “50 dollars” to take the train to RI, to a town where I now own 188 acres. Then, pictured my father working, at 14, where he got paid WITH A CALF! THE GOLDEN CALF! Believe it or not, she was a golden Guernsey, too–can you believe it–you can’t buy this! Plus, now my daughter, 17, raises a golden Guernsey in her horse barn! Plus, we have alot more Guernseys on the farm too. Facebook Fort Hill Farms & you can see Kies leading around her calf. The customers on Sat. were very shocked when they saw Kies come around the corner leading her Guernsey, like it was common practice–it is!
Fort Hill Farms—”The Farmer’s Cow”–it’s authentic, we’re authentic, authenticity runs in my veins. That’s why people think I have strength, I value the concept of legacy. The Farmer’s Cow was started by people who gained strength from their deep taproots, and people are now appreciating it. But, when Peter and I started farming in 1989, farmers weren’t valued, and no one wanted to “visit” a farm! It’s so surreal now to see so many people visiting and being so surprised at what we’re doing, when we’ve been doin it all along!
