The part-time help

I’m back. Maybe you didn’t notice I was gone, or maybe you don’t even remember me, but I’ve returned to the Dairy Star after a 14-year hiatus. I’m only here part time, which is kind of like what I have going on with the rest of my life. I sprinkle myself in all kinds of endeavors.

I interned for the Dairy Star for a summer during college, and I returned as a staff writer after graduation. At that time, I wasn’t yet married, so I went by my maiden name, Jill Warren. I visited several of your farms and shared your stories, many of which I still fondly remember.

Between then and now, my career path also included spending six years as an admissions representative and academic advisor at Ridgewater College before having kids and taking on the stay-at-home-mom role.

My husband, Aaron, and I have two boys: Hayes, 8, and Nash, 4. It’s a wild ride to raise kids full time, which you’ll get to hear all about in my future columns. They are two completely different personalities, which keeps me on my toes. Aaron works at an accounting firm, but his coveted tractor-driving skills are still relied upon when he has free time.

Recently, we built a house just down the road from my parents’ place, which means we are spending lots of time helping on the farm.

My dad and uncle operate the 140-cow dairy farm I grew up on with my two younger siblings. All of us are grown and have full-time jobs off the farm, but you will still find us helping on a part-time basis. My brother, Tyler, is a high school agriculture teacher, so he puts in lots of farming hours over the summer, while my sister, Ashley, works at our local milk processing plant. My mom also lends a helping hand in addition to her off-the-farm job.

I find myself helping in a variety of capacities. I’m kind of a utility player, in a sports-related comparison. Bales to unload? Call Jill. Relief milker or heifer sorter? I get a text. An email or other computer-related task needs to be completed? I’m your gal. From field work to errand running to cow care, I cover all the bases. Often, one or both of my kids are with me, and they are quick to tell me what Papa does better than me. My backing-up skills are clearly something I need to work on, according to them.

Growing up, my involvement in dairy went beyond the farm, where I served as a county dairy princess for two years and was a Princess Kay finalist (in a year I will not list, as it makes me feel old). And, before you ask, yes, I still have my butterhead. Somehow, it never managed to leave my parents’ freezer.

While I never ventured too far away from the farm, it does feel great to be back closer. It’s a privilege to have my boys experience farm life on a regular basis, and some days, I enjoy the change of pace of farm chores over kid-care duties, although I’m often multitasking both roles.

My life is still mainly full-time mom, but I sprinkle in a plethora of part-time duties that I’m excited to share with you. From farm helper to fair board member, caregiver, and other miscellaneous responsibilities, you’re in for a variety of stories from me, the part-time help.

Jill is a stay-at-home mom who helps part time on her family’s 140-cow dairy farm near Forest City, Minnesota. She and her husband, Aaron, have two children: Hayes and Nash.