Guest Blog

Whether you have 100 cows or 1,200 cows, it’s likely you have a few employees. I’m sure you have employed plenty of good, quality workers as well as a few bad employees. The question is, “How do we create and keep quality employees?” – especially during a time when pay increases and bonuses may not be an option.

When a dairy farm has been around for over 100 years, there is something to be said for the families dedicated to keeping the legacy alive. Over the last century, the town of Florence, Colorado, has developed around Camerlo Dairy, which sits on Frazier Avenue in the middle of town.

When it comes to global trade, many in the American agricultural community feel like they are being passed by as the rest of the world advances with new trade agreements. Given that agricultural exports are often one of the brightest points on our trade balance sheets, not helping us reach new markets or more fully developed existing ones feels like pulling your star quarterback out of the game when you’re still down.

I’ve always said, “If we can’t bring consumers to the farm, then let’s bring the farm to consumers.” As a dairy farmer and passionate agvocate, I particularly love to educate about agriculture through farm tours.

If you chase two rabbits … you will not catch either one.

—Russian proverb

Wouldn’t it be nice to feel like you’re only chasing two rabbits? If you’re like me, it feels like you’re chasing a dozen or more, and not catching any. It’s frustrating, makes me grumpy, and it’s hard to stay motivated.

When I think about the people involved in ag, one word describes them all: passionate. Farmers are one of the most passionate groups of people you will ever meet, but sometimes our passion can be a liability. The most recent example is a certain Super Bowl commercial depicting dairy in a less than positive way.