LaLu: A Farming Legacy

 In 1949, after going to Detroit to build airplanes for WWII, my grandparents returned to Tennessee. My family was originally from Cookeville but my grandparents decided to settle in a smaller town. They had also gotten used to the comforts of electricity while their stay up north so they purchased our farm that happened to be at the end of the electric line.

Now this pic is from 2010. It is a very different sight than it was when Granny and Pa decided to put down roots. There was a large barn with tie stalls that stood where they milked their first cow. In 1952, they purchased 3 jersey cows. Yes, that is the Mayfield cow or the little brown cow. They had 4 more children and built a fine home right across the road from the dairy. They named their farm LaLu farms. It is a combination of their two names LaFever and Luke (my Granny's maiden name). My Pa taught school, coached basketball, had a home improvement store, served on lots of different committees, was the President of the White County Fair Board, helped start artificial insemination in our area, and ran for a county office. My Granny was the epitome of a good farm house wife. She cooked, canned, gardened, raised 6 children and the baby calves, and ran the show basically. My dad was born late in Granny's life. She was 42 when he was born I believe. He was the baby of the family. I loved both my grandparents. My Granny died rather unexpected in 2001 and my Pa made it another 2 years before he joined her. They both lived to be in their late 80's. They left behind a great legacy.

This picture is from a few years ago. We have added 4 more great grand children since this picture was taken! We have lost some and we have gained some and we are still going strong. My family are the ones who still run the dairy farm that was my grandparents passion.

The four of us worked side by side through the ups and downs of the dairy industry until my Mom lost her battle with Colon Cancer in 2012. She was the book keeper, penny pincher,  and she had an uncanny way to choose the best bulls for our cows. She was the brains of the operation though shhh don't tell Dad. My parents are my heroes. I didn't know it growing up but I do now. They both worked hard to make sure we had food on the table and clothes on our backs. We could sit around the dinner table and talk about the farm or what cows need to go dry or what medicines we should use on a sick calf. We were a team. We work together, play together, and love each other.

 In 2011, Rorey and I got married. He didn't grow up on a dairy but he is a farm boy.

And of course, there was a cow at the wedding. Ramona had traveled the country with me!

We are the face of the dairy industry. If you think family farms are gone, you are wrong! Our family is still dairying and will continue as long as I am alive. I know people worry about where their food comes from. You worry about the quality and the safety of the food you set on the table for your family. Well, we are not so different from you. We have the same worries. I can assure you, we strive to do the best job we can with our cows to bring the highest quality milk to your family. It is a family legacy for us. We have been working at this for over 60 years now. It is a legacy I hope to pass down to my son.

Until next time, Sara LaFever Halliburton