Hudson Valley Parent

HVP November 2015

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14 Hudson Valley Parent n November 2015 explains. "When my first daughter was born, 37 years ago, I couldn't stand the idea of my children grow- ing up around the toxins and poisons that conventional farming uses. But it was important for me for practical and other reasons to raise the family on the farm. So we went organic." That wasn't the only change: KeziaLain used to be primarily a dairy operation, but Lain decided to stop plowing, let the grasslands take over and raise cows for beef. He said it was essential to create an envi- ronment that his children could join in and be a part of – and possibly inherit one day. "We stopped using grains and now we have sustainable, certi- fied organic cattle that are totally grass-fed," Lain says. "I wanted my children to live on a farm where we weren't trucking in grain, fertilizers or chemicals. And it has resulted in a happier life for the cows, tastier meat that's better for people and a happier farm with a healthy, bountiful land." The Lain children, ranging in age from 25-37, have all been involved in the farm since they could walk. That has both its advantages and disadvantages. "The inherent difficulty and beauty of farm life is that it takes you over," Lain said. "Nature calls the shots: If you don't do it her way, you lose. It's hard for outsiders to understand. But I was a part of the kids' life and they were a part of mine whenever they were home because I never had to go off to an office. Being able to interact with them was very import- ant to me, but things like vacation were challenging." Jetting off to Bermuda may not have been part of their upbringing, Preschool through Eighth Grade Traditional learning in an innovative environment 415 Route 343, Millbrook, NY 12545 845.677.5014 ■ info@dutchessday.org www.dutchessday.org WHERE YOUNG MINDS GROW RANDOLPH SCHOOL THE www.randolphschool.org Contact Us for a Tour 845.297.5600 Pre-K to 5th Grade Wappingers Falls Nurturing a Sense of Wonder. Each Child. Every Day 16 South Chestnut, New Paltz 845-255-0033 MountainLaurel.org igniting life-long learning OPEN HOUSE Saturday, November 21 10am - 12pm Parent/Child, Nursery, Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Mountain Laurel Waldorf School FAMILY FARMS (Continued from Page 13)

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