A Love Letter & Farewell to Pineland Farms’ Beloved Cows

Dear Pineland Farms,

The recent news of the farewell of the milking cows has saddened me tremendously.  

The farmyard education and the various cow barns have played such an integral part in our daughter’s life.  From being a baby and toddler standing back in awe of these great creatures, to a curious yet cautious 5 year old who enjoyed long visits in the barns quietly observing the cows at a distance that felt safe to her, to now a 6 year old who gives them hugs and doesn’t mind the occasional tongue licks on her winter jacket, your barns gave her an opportunity to grow.

Your barns provided so much for her; a truly magical place where she got to learn a little bit more about herself with every visit.  A place to find her comfortability with these gentle giants; to take risks in asking questions to staff, strangers in her eyes, and to find reward in the kindness and knowledge they willingly shared with her; and most importantly, to be connected with the beautiful harmony that intertwines us all when we are connected to the land and animals that nourish us, feed us, and support us.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t say that these cow barns have been an extraordinary place for me, a 40 year old woman, to visit.  Your barns provided opportunities to get comfortable as a new mother taking my daughter out solo in those early months of her life, time to connect and have conversations with dear friends while our children were entertained by feeding hay to cows in the heifer barn, and so much joy in the simple pleasures of petting a freshly born baby calf.

And while I hope that this letter, along with all the other letters, comments, and calls, would have you reconsider this decision, I trust that this choice was not made in haste but with much deliberation and discussion as to what is in the best interest for the larger farm entity. 

So..with all of that said, THANK YOU for giving me and my family 6 years of beautiful memories in these barns.  We will miss the cows dearly and look forward to the next chapter of the farmyard at Pineland Farms.

With much love and gratitude,

Natalie & Family