Community Corner
Soule: What Happens when A Child Meets a Calf? Magic!
Every kid should spend time on a farm. Imagine the self-confidence they build training a 200-pound calf. There's no substitute.
"Can I borrow the hose?" Quinn asked, "I got pooed on by Charlotte." Charlotte was a 3-month-old calf assigned to Quinn at Farm Camp at Miles Smith Farm, where each camper gets a calf for the week. Ten-year-old Quinn used the hose to spray off her pants and wash her boots.
Campers quickly learn that working with calves is fun but messy.
But no matter how many times the campers were stepped on, and no matter how filthy they got, none of them walked away in disgust or anger. They wanted more.
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In the mornings, the children learned to put a halter on their calves, lead them, and wash them. They all listened and learned. By week's end, even the youngest child confidently led her calf. It was terrific how knowledge can seep into children's minds even when they don't seem to be listening.
During the sweltering afternoons (the heat was relentless), the children sat in the shade, wrote in their journals, groomed their calves, and snuggled with them. Of course, there was running with calves, too. What child or calf doesn't love to run? Some kids dropped their lead ropes or stumbled during these informal races, but those who fell bounced back up and ran on.
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"I love washing Owen," said Will. Will attended last year's Farm Camp, and this year, he told his mom, "I've waited all year for the camp."
Despite the dirt, manure, flies, sweat, and tumbles, the kids all wanted more.
Priceless.
Carole Soule is the co-owner of Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, N.H. She raises and sells beef, pork, lamb, eggs, and other local products. She can be reached at carolesoule60@gmail.com.
