While I was there, I could tell the farmers truly cared about their cows. They named them names like "Nutella" and "Kahvi" (coffee in Finnish), talked kindly to them and would stay up late into the night with a cow if they were sick or giving birth.
Cows are a big part of agriculture in the United States - milk, cheese, butter and beef are often used in "American" foods. I believe that respecting cows and the land we farm leads to healthier communities and lower risks of dangerous outbreaks of salmonella and other agriculture-preventable diseases.
Just as we were leaving the last cow house (where I got to milk the cows!), it started snowing in the darkness. As I am from Florida, it was the first time that I've seen snow in 10 years! Of course, I had to make a few snowballs.
Snow in Finland will only come if the weather is just right. If it is too cold, not cold enough or there is not enough moisture in the air, it might be 20 or 10 degrees Fahrenheit, but it will not snow. The farmers told me that I was very lucky to see the snow; it was the perfect way to end my day on the farm!
We are losing about 18 minutes of sunlight/day now, and soon there will only be several hours of sunlight per day. Every time there is sun, I am sure to go outside and hike or at least go for a short walk. The sun is essential for converting Vitamin D in your body to a usable compound; without the sun, you may not get enough Vitamin D and will feel tired and sluggish.
