Time has come to bid Bobolink Dairy farewell

Farming family makes the move to more cohesive property, BY CHRIS WYMAN VERNON — It is not unheard of to find a contented herd of dairy cows being guided from one grazing field to another as they walk along Meadowburn Road here, a quiet back stretch that meanders behind more suburbanized areas. But, after seven years in the Vernon Valley, Jonathan and Nina White and their Bobolink Dairy will be closing up shop here and moving the herd on south to Hunterdon County. And going along with them will be their sons Paulie, 22, Tobias, 19, and Jacob, 18; plus dozens of cows, some pigs, a hen house’s worth of chickens, a duck, and to keep all the critters in line, Babka, the Whites’ official 4-year-old cattle dog. The very prospect of moving so many living creatures from one place to another, so many miles away, is surely not for the weak of heart. Searching for the perfect place “We chose to move to Hunterdon County because that’s where we were able to find the perfect farm to buy, with the help of the Hunterdon Land Trust Alliance,” said Jonathan White, 53. The Whites had been leasing the 359-acre Meadowburn Road site, known as the Coster Gerard Farm. It was placed in the county’s farmland preservation program last year, so it must remain in agriculture. “We had been looking for eight years for a farm to buy, and after walking the length and breadth of about 40 properties, this is the one that was love at first sight, just like when I met Nina, nearly 28 years ago.” Based on what he has been able to learn, Jonathan said the Whites would be just the third family to own their new farm since the Revolution. The existing house was built of stone in 1833 by a family named Duckworth, who first settled the land in the late 1700s. The 185 acres drape over a gently curved hilltop, which is drained by three wooded ravines, full of birds and native plants, and can provide the cows a refuge from winter storms. Jonathan also said that the soils are nearly ideal for grazing, and most of the fields have been plowed for centuries and therefore free of large rocks. The hedgerows include nut and fruit trees. The Whites’ plans for the new farm include building a milking shed, a creamery, underground ripening rooms, a bakery, a butchery and a farm market at the center of the farm, which has panoramic views of the Delaware Valley. “Our new farm will also be much easier to manage...(it’s) all in one piece, with nearly twice the grass resource of the farm in Vernon.” Challenging lifestyle The Whites have been married for almost 26 years and they admit it is challenging to be a farm family, as their day-to-day routines are so different from most others around them. They enjoy each day and feel fortunate that they can work at something that is meaningful to them and to others. And they feel that this is, sadly, not everyone’s work experience. There are times, too, when they admit that they’d like to relax for the weekend like others do. But weekends are the busiest work times for them. They shared the fact that sometimes their children are resentful when there is cow-related work to do and that they are expected to jump up and run to help when there’s an emergency. Nevertheless, as family members, the children at the same time are proud of their family’s mission and they are proud of the responsibility and skills they possess. “It’s been a challenge,” for the children to grow up on a farm, said Nina, 51. “As ‘back to the earth’ types, it’s been a little difficult for our older kids to find their social niche. Additionally, our older children have Asperger’s Syndrome, which is defined as an autistic spectrum disorder. This means that they are brilliant, insightful people who have a difficult time navigating social situations. So, while they appreciate the beauty of our surroundings, and the good food that we grow at Bobolink, adolescence and young adulthood have been a challenge.” Their youngest son Jacob is autistic, and according to Nina, he is progressing well. “He understands where his food comes from, and can assist us with life on the farm. He is not ready to make cheese or bread, but he can help to feed the chickens, collect eggs and firewood. He has been at the Allegro School in Cedar Knolls, where he participates in a horticulture program. We have seen a lot of progress in his ability to participate meaningfully in activities, and we are hoping that he will continue to attend Allegro after the move.” According to Jonathan, their life in Vernon hasn’t been as easy as it might have been. “Probably the season of 2005 was our toughest. There was the spring flooding. Dekay Road was under water, as was Meadowburn Road. We had to close the shop, move the cows to high ground, and watch as entire fields were submerged.” But that wasn’t all. “Then there was drought. The calves’ eyes were irritated by the dry dust, a problem that is usually only seen in the West. Giving eye drops to 40 calves, well, that’s a job! And then more flooding in the fall. It was a real challenge to plan the rotational grazing, that’s for sure. In spite of all the challenges that Mother Nature hurled at us, 2005’s grazing season was not a total financial disaster, since grass is a lot more drought- and flood-resistant than, say, a corn crop.” Final days at Vernon Bobolink “We will continue to use the name Bobolink Dairy & Bakeyard,” said Nina. “And our Web site will stay at www.cowsoutside.com.” Since bobolinks are fairly common on their Vernon farm, Nina has become very fond of the farm’s namesake bird. “By the way, our new neighbors at the Hunterdon farm tell us that they have seen bobolinks in our fields, too.” Perhaps a good omen for their new venture. They plan to begin moving the younger cows to the new farm as soon as they can get the fences in place; possibly within the next few weeks. Nina likes Vernon and its residents. “We really appreciate the folks that have found us and become our customers and supporters. We are also deeply appreciative of the efforts of the educational professionals who have worked hard to find the best ways to give our kids a great school experience. It hasn’t been easy, but even when things were difficult, we know that the teachers and staff at the Vernon schools did their very best.”

Our Vernon farm, though scenic, stretches across four miles, two roads, a river and train tracks.” Jonathan White

What’s next?
?Bobolink Dairy in Vernon will close to the public at the end of the day Sunday, June 20.
?Until then, the farm will be open Fridays from 12 to 6 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
?Bobolink will continue to participate in the Warwick Valley (N.Y.) Farmers Market in the South Street parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each Sunday beginning May 16.
?Farm tours are offered Sunday afternoons beginning at 3 p.m. for $5 per person, which includes a bread and cheese tasting.
?Bobolink is located at 42 Meadowburn Rd., Vernon, off Route 94, just south of the New York state line.
Visit www.cowsoutside.com
?E-mail: nina@cowsoutside.com
?Call 973-764-4888