Marci Whitehurst

In Montana, there is almost always an abundance of snow at Christmastime. Our cows know how to find feed in the snow, though. We leave feed in the fields for them because we don’t have farm equipment and leaving grass for grazing is a better use of resources for us.

When I was growing up, we had a couple of dogs. Our first dog was named King. He was named this because my dad had a dog named King when he was growing up, and this dog was going to be every bit as wonderful as my dad’s childhood companion.

I have not traveled from coast to coast yet, but our family came pretty close.

Wrong and right are not quantifiable. Believe me, I’ve tried.

Doing it ‘right’ isn’t a status I’ve ever achieved. I’ve wanted to achieve it because in the moment it feels like if I could do it perfectly, then I’d never hurt anyone or waste money or time.

One of our daughters showed her love of animals from an early age. She’d carry any animal that allowed it. She also loved reading. As a toddler, she slept with books and stuffed animals. She wanted a book of veterinary science at age 8.

Years ago, we participated in a program that brought kids from all the schools in the area to a farm and taught them about agriculture. We don’t live there anymore to continue to participate, but we enjoyed sharing what we do with hundreds of kids.