10/11/2026
Ever wondered what really goes into producing a gallon of milk? 🐄
I had the opportunity to tour a local dairy farm in Re*****on, VA, and learned just how much goes on behind the scenes!
A few things I found interesting:
• Nothing goes to waste! The farm has two manure lagoons holding up to 6.8 million gallons. The manure is recycled into fertilizer, and separated solids are even used as bedding for the cows.
• They grow their own crops. The farm grows all its own corn and plants cover crops to protect the soil and provide additional forage.
• Cow comfort is a priority. Fresh feed twice a day, water stations cleaned daily, and fans to keep the cows comfortable.
• Milking is quite the operation! Their 50-stall rotary milking parlor can milk approximately 200 cows per hour, with each cow milked three times daily.
• Sustainability matters. The farm previously achieved Starbucks’ highest sustainability standard, recognizing practices involving animal welfare, employees, and the environment.
It’s easy to overlook how much work goes into the food we consume every day. I left with a greater appreciation for our local farmers and everything they do!
*****onVA
