TRR photo by Tom Kane In learning to care for farm animals Chrissy Weissman gets direction and support from her parents, James and Evelyn. (Click for larger image)

Dairy farming: what do kids say?

By TOM KANE

The common wisdom among dairy farmers is that kids today don't want to carry on the work.

Kids are not interested in doing the hard work necessary to run a dairy farm, say farmers, adding that the youth of today have more options open to them.

Armed with this common conviction, I set out to interview farm youths, expecting to hear about the dark side of dairy farming as a career.

The results I got were surprising.

Far from being unanimous, the opinions of farm youth come down on both sides of the issue.

Take Chrissy Weissman for example. Weissman, 17, of Callicoon Center, was elected Sullivan County Dairy Princess for 2000 and serves as the second alternate in New York State.

"Dairy farming is who I am," she said. "It's in my blood." Weissman not only helps with all the chores on her parents' farm, she also breeds her own cows and shows them.

"I love animals and I love to see them grow," she said, adding that milking cows wasn't the only aspect of dairy farming she liked.

A dairy farmer has to know many things, she said, like balancing the mixture of feed to get the best milk. "Cows have feelings and they produce more and better if they're happy. We're looking to produce our own milk and sell it," added Weissman.

Another thing she likes is that she is part of a family team. "We conference about the state of the farm and what has to be done and why," she said. Working with her family is very important to her. "Where else can you have that kind of experience than on a farm?"

Representing the other side of the coin is Bill Reichmann, 17, of Fremont Center, a senior at Sullivan West/Delaware Valley.

"No way! Not me," he said when asked if dairy farming was in his future. "There's not enough money in it for all the hard work you have to do. 365 days a year you have to be there. The cows don't go on vacation and neither do you."

"If there were more money in it, I'd do it," said Russel Olson, Jr., 18, of Youngsville, a senior at Sullivan West/Jeffersonville-Youngsville. Olson said he likes the independence of living on a farm. "You're your own boss and can do things when you want to. You're not 9 to 5. "

He could see himself on a dairy farm if certain conditions were met.

"If prices went up permanently, I'd really think about it. It's basically a good life," he said.

Olson plans to work in construction upon graduation.

"It [dairy farming] is not the way I want to follow," said Kristen Erlwein, 17, of Jeffersonville. "When I come back from college four years from now, I don't think there will be any dairy farms left. It's too hard to make a living and it's a very complicated business. People are going to give it up."

Then, there's Amanda Perry, 16, She works on Doug Gabriel's farm and likes it.

"It's fun," she said. "I like the life style. I'd never want to be stuck in an office from 9 to 5. I love animals and like to see them grow."

Family life around a dairy farm is something she values. "It's worth it to me to work as a family," she said.

Farm kids seem to share several consistent, positive traits. They tend to be family-oriented, responsible, resourceful and clear about their values.

"I can't see spending a hundred dollars on sneaks," Weissman said. "When you see how hard your parents have to work to get money, you think twice about such things. Why do I need to 'keep up with the Joneses?' I don't like the materialism you see today among a lot of young people. I don't need to be like that. What's the point?"

"I like dairy farming and would be one but really I want to be a teacher," said Tammy Gabriel, 18. Being around a dairy farm would still be important to her, she said. " I like animals, " she said. "I also think children raised on farms do better. There's a lot to be said for it."