I had a chance last week to go on a farm tour organized by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce. I sort of pitched it to my boss that I wanted to see some clients’ operations in action, but really I just wanted to hang out with my colleagues all day and eat ice cream. Anyway, I had such a blast!

As someone who grew up in a city and continues to live in a city, I have the slightest clue about how a dairy farm operates. I have never physically touched a cow or feed a goat. The experience of having a calf suck on my fingers was both awesome and weird.

These animals live a pretty good life. Plenty of food and water, cushy bed, back scratcher, fresh air and sunlight. One of the coolest things I learned is that these dairy farmers are so passionate about what they do and how to run a moral business!

Milk produced in BC is free of growth hormones and antibiotics. If a cow is sick and is treated with antibiotics, the milk out of that cow goes straight down the drain. If there is any growth hormones or antibiotics detected in the testing, the farm is fined anywhere between $15,000 to $30,000. Crazy! But it makes it so reassuring to buy dairy produced in BC!

The content of the saliage fed to the girls at EcoDairy.

The laneway scraper runs every hour, keeping the laneway clear of poop.

EcoDairy farm girls eating breakfast.

Wearing special booties so we don’t transmit diseases between farms.

Up close and personal.

Giant baby bottles for the calves.

This is Escort. She’ll forever be special to me as the first cow I have hugged. She turned around and licked me while I tried to get a picture with her.

The mamas get a special barn for calfing.

Birchwood ice cream. Pecan and caramel flavor.

Feeding the goat organic sprouted grain.

Baby goat being bottle fed at Goat’s Pride organic farm.