"That makes it so fulfilling. It is not a job for me; it is a calling.” There are about 900 cows, including calves and heifers. About 450 are cows in milk, and there are plans to expand. Most are Holsteins (black and white), but there is a small percentage of Jersey cows and crossbreeds. They have even started planting a few fruit trees.
Ingrid said, “Our cows graze on Ryegrass (Lolium), which is best for milk production but needs to be monitored. It is less hardy than Kikuyu grass. Our son is learning to monitor our pastures very closely, and he manages the irrigation. Our daily production varies from 9,000 to 12,000 litres depending on the season. There is never a day without milk, so we are busy every day of the week. Our truck collects the milk and takes it to the KwaSizabantu Mission in Kranskop. We also make yoghurt and maas (a fermented milk product) from it.” This farm is part of Emseni Farming, a farming project of KwaSizabantu Mission.
Mr Dietmar Joosten oversees the various agricultural projects, including this dairy farm. Ingrid says, “We attend an online meeting with the Emseni team before six o'clock every morning. I value these early-morning sessions very much. This is where we learn many practical farming lessons and good work ethics. It's beneficial to connect with the team, as hearing updates is productive. It's crucial to reach out to others, consult them when facing challenges, and share our successes. Mr Joosten's vision and enthusiasm have taught us so much.”
“I make many mistakes, but I also learn from them. One aspect that stands out for me is that we farm with grace. So, when I speak to a worker, I reflect on whether I approached the conversation gracefully. When I undertake a task, I ask myself if I executed it gracefully. We do our best by His grace, and then God can bless what we do. “One year, we faced a tough Winter season. At one point in July, I was informed that we had enough maize silage for the cows for only one week. After receiving that message, I took it to the Lord through prayer, reminding Him that this is His farm and His cows, and we are merely caretakers. When I got up from my knees, I saw the Emseni logo and read the words, 'Farming with Grace,' which comforted me. Looking back, I know that it was indeed His Grace alone that carried us through that season.
"Every single worker plays a vital role in keeping this farm on track, and I appreciate every one of them. Not all of them are Christians, but they all have respect for the Lord. Our milkers are all ladies because they are much gentler with the cows. I identify with both since my husband is also a farmer, but I prefer to be called a missionary farmer. Being a missionary and working for the Lord means everything to me. On average, I try to be in bed by nine o'clock. The best part of my workday is walking between the cows as they graze or lie down. Nothing is better for me than to see them chewing the cud, hearing their crunching and heavy breathing and knowing they are happy and content. Then I am happy!"
Read the full story in issue 49 by following the link: https://online.pubhtml5.com/asxvv/uaik/