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 Vermont farmer Tyler Webb holds a camera as organic dairy cows graze in the background.

Farming


Get Ready for a Virtual Tour of Organic Farms Across the Nation!


What are you doing next Friday? We know what we are doing and hope you will join us! We are hosting our second annual National Farmers Day Livestream on Oct. 11 to celebrate — you got it — National Farmers Day.

From the comfort of your home, classroom, office or wherever you may be, take a virtual real-time organic dairy farm tour and hear from farmers about their animal care practices, how they spend their days and the importance of protecting where your food comes from.

(Disclaimer: we say we know what we are doing on Oct.11, but you never know what will happen when you put a camera in front of a cow!)

Farmers from small organic family farms in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin will tour their farms and share why they do what they do. During last year’s livestream, Oregon farmer Ross Bansen talked about life as a farmer — what he calls a “unique occupation.”

“It’s something I can’t picture myself doing without,” he said. “It is hard work, but it’s definitely rewarding when you can stand out in the middle of pasture on a day like today, talk to the world and enjoy the sun and the cows.”

Hundreds of people have already registered for the livestream, including dozens of classrooms. Interested in getting some virtual mud on your boots? You can register too. Here’s how.

RSVP for the Farmers Day Livestream

What: National Farmers Day Livestream.

When: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT on Friday, Oct. 11.

RSVP: Receive reminders and updates by signing up on our livestream page.

The livestream will take you up close to cows on pasture and farmers in the field. It’s an opportunity to get an inside peek at Organic Valley’s office and the people who work there.

We also invite classrooms to spend time “on” our farms. Everyone is welcome to ask questions.

Students across the nation spent virtual time on Organic Valley farms during last year’s livestream. Many students asked questions and some even got a sweet surprise when farmers gave their school a shoutout.

Last year, second-grader Kailen asked farmer Tyler Webb from Vermont a question about why he wanted to be a farmer in real time during the livestream.

“I would like to lead by example, and if I couldn’t save the world, I might be able to save my one little part,” Webb responded. “And If I made it really beautiful and folks had the opportunity to visit it or the opportunity to see it, maybe that would inspire them to save a little piece.”

Here’s a peek at more from last year’s livestream:

Join us on the farm Oct. 11 for 15 minutes or 10 hours to learn more about where your food comes from and the farmers who make it happen. Though National Farmers Day is Oct. 12, you can start celebrating the farmers who protect where our food comes from by sending them a virtual thank you note, too. Scroll down on our livestream page to send your message. You can also download free farm activity sheets, including a Fun with Farm Bingo card and mark off your bingo sheet as you hear the farm-themed words during the livestream.

“It’s been a beautiful journey, and I would encourage anybody out there who might share that vision to try to give it a try,” Webb said of his experience as an organic farmer.

An antique typewriter fanatic and chicken mom who treasures time outdoors admiring all that nature has to offer, Jennifer McBride is Rootstock’s editor. McBride spent 15-plus years as a journalist and newspaper editor before finding her niche with the nation’s leading organic dairy cooperative. Contact her at Rootstock@organicvalley.com.

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