As a farming family, what makes us proud is hard work, dedication, and the ability to rise above adverse situations. Believe me, there have been many times I’ve entertained the thought of throwing in the towel. Farming is not easy. It’s in my husband’s blood though, and no matter how challenging and demanding farm life can be, my husband always demonstrates his resilience.
I admire my husband’s determination and hard work. These are values I want our little one to take note of.
In keeping with what makes us proud, I wanted to share the story behind Gay Lea Foods:
“Our story began in 1958, when a group of Ontario
farmers came together with a common vision — to create
a dairy co-operative. And with that, Gay Lea Foods was
born. The farmers believed they could build a better future
for themselves and their communities by supporting one
another, by working collaboratively and living according
to their co-operative principles. While it’s true we’ve
grown along the way, embracing innovative new
products, and responding to evolving tastes, we haven’t
really changed. After all, our values are born on the farm.
Today, we remain a dairy owned by dairy farmers, and
they are at the very root of our organization. We embrace
and act with co-operative-inspired values – they inform
everything we do. From farmers to production facilities to
distribution, every member, employee and partner shares
a keen understanding that there is no shortcut to quality. It
takes commitment, passion and collaboration.
Those are the things we’re made of, and we believe it’s
time we share our story. We’re not only proud of what
makes us different, but we know that today’s consumer,
more than ever, wants real products they can trust.
Our values and our products, just like the milk and our
farmers, are born on the farm.”
Gay Lea Foods’ story hits close to home. “After all, our values are born on the farm”–no statement can be truer. Little One is learning life lessons on the farm every day. She learns about responsibility, respect for life, being a steward to the land, compassion, empathy, hard work, dedication, kindness, giving, and so much more. We’re a beef farming family and not dairy farmers, but we can still relate very closely to the Gay Lea story. Special care to ensure that customers who consume our products get the best possible products we can provide is paramount. Ultimately, our customers are families too. We wouldn’t serve anyone anything we wouldn’t consume ourselves. Another common thread between Gay Lea and our small farm is that we recognize that support and community have always been a part of farming communities and rural living. These are things I learned firsthand as a city girl who married a beef farmer almost eight years ago.
What Makes Us Proud?
Another thing that makes me proud? Being able to make wholesome, delicious and nutritious food and serve my family and friends.
Sometimes you just want a little bit of country hospitality and when I think of warm comfort foods, here’s a recipe I’m proud of.
Sour Cream & Dill Biscuits
This recipe yields 10 biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 c all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- 2 tsp. sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 c Gay Lea butter
- 1/2 c Gay Lea sour cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh dill
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Using fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, mix sour cream, milk and dill.
- Make a well in the center of dry mixture. Pour sour-cream mixture into well in flour mixture.
- Stir mixture until dough sticks together.
- Knead dough gently on a lightly floured surface 12 times.
- Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness.
- Cut with 21⁄2-inch biscuit cutter. If you don’t have a biscuit cutter, you can improvise or even free-hand it.
- Grease baking sheet. Transfer biscuits to greased baking sheet. If you want to brush on some melted butter on the biscuits to make them a beautiful golden colour, feel free! Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Best served hot!
*For even more buttery dill flavour, I made some dill butter by just mixing finely chopped fresh dill into 1/4 c of Gay Lea butter for everyone to butter their Sour Cream & Dill biscuits.
Having a cute little helper is also a great thing! She was so proud of herself!
Disclosure: I am part of the Gay Lea Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Those biscuits look delicious! Thanks for taking the time to share the Gay Lea story.
I loved spending summers on my god parents farm, when I was little. I loved to see all the hard work that went into running a farm. Biscuits are one of my weaknesses, LOL. These looks totally awesome.
Farmers unite! I love that you are supporting fellow farmers…it’s a great community you have.
What a beautiful post! I love the passion and the heart you put into your work. The experiences your daughter is having on the farm will make her a well rounded beautiful person! Thank you for all you and your family do!
I’d love to produce my own food. In the absence of that, thank goodness we have great Ontario brands like GayLea to choose from.
Great post! I’m so jealous you’re working with GayLea! What a great company!
Sarah! Thanks for the comment! I have to say you are my fave ag blogger! Love ya, fellow farmer’s wife!
I’m lucky enough to live near some family farms, and I love taking the kids to visit. It’s so important that we know where our food comes from!
So true, Olivia! It is important to know where our food comes from…and meet the people who work hard to grow the food too 🙂
You must take great satisfaction in growing some of your own food. I would love to know exactly where my food came from!
Dani: It is a great feeling 🙂 Love “from the garden to the table” 🙂
yummm!! Your food recipes never stop to amaze me. I can’t even begin to imagine how much hard work is required to be a farmer. I truly have so much respect for what you and your family do. #proud
Ahhh…Maya! Love ya, lady! xoxo