What do New England dairy farmers want to see under the tree on Christmas morning?
We all have personal ‘must-have’ Christmas lists, and New England dairy farmers are no exception. These hard-working men and women are looking forward to Santa’s annual fly-by, so we asked them what they want to see under the tree on Christmas morning (after the first milking, of course!):
- The challenge to dairying in the winter is staying warm, so many of our more-practical farmers are asking for gloves, winter socks, and boot dryers.
- Think new décor is relegated to your home? One farmer needs new name cards for the barn (the cows have names, after all, so why not personalize their hang-out?)
- Organization is critical when you’re working a 150-cow milking herd, so what about a locking chest for organizing supplies?
- Farming is tough on clothes. A dairy farmer always needs coveralls, a comfy barn jacket, and work boots.
- Speaking of coveralls – farmers say to make sure they’re insulted! One farmer and his daughter stay nice and cozy feeding calves in below-zero weather in their matching pair.
- Sure, dairy farmers get off the farm occasionally, so one farmer is asking for ‘civilian’ clothes – without the feed company logo – along with a gift card to a nice restaurant.
- LOTS of insulated gloves! The Kinco kind is preferred.
- Even the best farm equipment needs occasional tweaking, so a 9/16 wrench or socket is always a good gift, Santa.
- A Carhartt vest is the key to one farmer’s heart and lasts forever.
- Hey, it’s not always about the farmer, Mr. Claus. How about a new brush to keep the cow’s tails looking good?
- One farmer wants unique farm-themed household items – think antique farm signs – can’t get enough of that barn atmosphere.
- We know it’s early during that morning milking, but how early exactly? A new barn clock would be great.
- Cows become part of the family on the farm. One creative female farmer had earrings made from her favorite cow’s teeth.
- Not sure this would fit in Santa’s bag, but it’s certainly on the top of the list for hard-working farmers – a vacation and the help a farmer needs to leave the farm for a little time off!
