Soule: Taking Our Calves on the Road

On the first day of summer camp here at Miles Smith Farm, the kids hardly knew a hoof from a square knot. They didn’t want to get their boots dirty, and some swatted non-stop at the horse flies and no-see-ums. Then they met their calves: Peaches, Rosemary, Emily Blunt, and the rest of the 14 calves that we assigned to campers. Titan, a headstrong Belted Galloway, was feisty and hard to handle, so we decided not to give him to a child. By the end of the week-long day camp session, the kids were no longer afraid of manure or insects. What with washing, feeding, and romping, kids and calves variously (and cheerfully) got dirty, wet, and tired. Many of them will return next year for another dose of “agri-therapy.”

Last week we took eight of those summer camp calves and Curious Bleu, an 11-year-old Scottish Highland steer, to the Agriculture Fair on Martha’s Vineyard, where eight island 4H members took over caring for the calves, including Titan. By then, he had started to consider being more chill. He still planted his feet and leaned back when Maddie, his handler for the fair, tried to lead him. But with specific instruction, Maddie got him to obey.

On Martha’s Vineyard, the calves needed special attention when they got what farmers call “shipping fever” -- the bovine equivalent of a human catching a cold after a long and strenuous trip.

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Carole is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm at Loudon, N.H., where she raises beef and shares the joys of her Farm with kids and adults. She can be reached at carole@soulecoaching.com.