Grass shoots from the once-frozen brown sod. Lifeless limbs explode with vitality as buds prepare for the coming leaves. A heavenly chorus of peepers rings out from the farm ponds.
Sure, signs of springtime in the Schoharie Valley begin to stir in late March and early April. Summer, in my opinion, is the best of the four seasons—for its abundance of life and warmth. It’s a busy, yet purposeful time on the farm, and that above all brings the greatest sense of true happiness.
However, we can’t simply go from the dormant, dead state of winter’s cold grasp to the loving warmth of the summer months. Summer, in essence, must be “reborn”—a process beautifully represented by the season of spring.
This rebirth is tangibly mirrored on our farm by the literal birth of new life—our calves. This is the time of year when the majority of our herd brings new life into the world, in perfect harmony with nature’s own reawakening. It’s a truly beautiful time, full of anticipation for the summer to come.
It is pure joy to watch newborn calves stumble around their mothers, searching for the bosom that will nourish their small, newly introduced bodies. The mother cows, in turn, bathe them, watch over them, and guide them around the pasture. The calves quickly gain strength and begin to bond with the other newly arrived calves in the herd—forming friendship groups. (Yes, cows have friends! They’ll often form groups of 3–5 that stick together even as they mature.)
Without a doubt, the best part of the day is checking the herd at sunset—watching the calves race across the field and do what I’ve coined “spin-kicks.” It’s their way of sprinting and leaping into the air as if to say “Yeehaw!” The fervent energy and joy of new life are fully on display in the evening pasture—a vibrant tapestry of motion and delight.
Calving season is a physical representation of what we, as farmers, are feeling. Winter can be cold and dark, with limited daylight hours. But the arrival of spring—and the growing season—brings pure relief and the hope of what’s to come. It renews our drive to care for our little part of creation and stirs a deep, undefiled enthusiasm for summer’s advent.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the spiritual reflection in all of this. When we come to Christ, we experience a rebirth. What was once cold and dark is brought to life. The glorious truth of the Gospel is available to all, and we warmly invite any readers unfamiliar with Jesus and His offer of salvation to reach out. We’d love the opportunity to talk more with you.
We look forward to watching this year’s crop of young calves grow and explore the lush summer pastures. Their curiosity mirrors our own anticipation.
God Bless,
John V