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Food,
fiber, fun and family
 a
blue ribbon
a
dozen fresh eggs
a
hand-knit sweater
a
life lesson learned
a
nuzzle from a furry friend...
these
are some of the things we livestock owners value.
Many
large animal owners enjoy the wholesome feeling of hard
work on the farm. Building a sturdy fence or mucking out
the stalls, the daily interaction of feeding and caring
for each animal - this provides a sense of accomplishment
hard to match in an office. Others may enjoy a trail ride
on a sunny autumn afternoon or the thrill of competition
and showmanship. Many feel pride in feeding their families
high quality food from animals raised under caring and
healthy conditions.
 Often,
we want our children to experience farm life as our grandparents
or we did. Children learn life lessons about respect, responsibility,
sportsmanship, food sources, the value of agriculture,
the importance of resource stewardship, and many others.
to
sum it all up, we livestock owners love what we do!
As
we look into the issues of keeping livestock on small acreages,
we consider the reasons people choose to do so. Raising
healthy, productive animals goes hand-in-hand with protecting
our families and the environment -
it is all interconnected.
 Education
is the key
 Learn
more about how to manage manure,
livestock yards and pastures and consider steps
that you can take at home. Share
this information with family, friends and peers.
Educate
others about your animals, why you raise them and why
they are important.
Take
the time to introduce your animals to your
neighbors. Help them to understand why they are valuable
to you
and the steps you are taking to protect our
drinking water, families and animals.
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