Farewell!
Tali Eichner
So long, and thanks for all the milk!
As it is everywhere on the farm, the dairy life is one of seasons and cycles. There is a drop in the milk yield around September when a lot of cows are dried off in preparation for calving. Then, when the grass growth slows and the cows come in for the winter, we settle into a period of relative quiet where we make repairs and catch-up on things left behind from the busy summer. This time is a little like the space between breaths, the pause in anticipation of the beginning of a new season. Late November and early December marks a transition time; the cows have had their calves and the milk yield starts to rise and things start to ramp up for Christmas and there are many changes to the activities in the dairy. So, it seems a very fitting time for another transition as I leave the farm.
One of the things that attracted me to Plaw Hatch and that I have continued to understand more and more deeply is the community ownership at its heart, which affects every part of it in subtle yet fundamental ways. There is something profound and beautiful in something that belongs to none of us, even though we are all part of the creation within it, like the network of mycorrhizae in the soil that enables the plants to grow, or the bacteria in milk that make complete transformations possible. Working on the farm is to steward, nurture, and sow seeds of our own inspiration, and the supporting community underpins its continued thriving. I am writing this to say thank you to all those that have been part of uplifting this place and the work we do during my time here, as I hope to join you in doing in the future.
In the twelve years I have worked at Plaw Hatch I have seen many inspired and inspiring people come and go, each of them carrying a piece of the farm – practices, knowledge, awareness and values – to other places around the world whilst leaving traces of their own. I have learnt and grown and loved and been shaped by my experiences here and feel part of me will stay rooted in this land, its nature, and spirit. I am proud to have been part of a team that has achieved a lot through seemingly small improvements and stands stronger than ever despite many challenges. I am handing over care of the Dairy to the very capable hands of Dom Lawrance, who has worked with me for 7 years, along with a dedicated and altogether excellent Dairy team, namely Josh, Tal, Nick, Abra, and the new addition of Shasta.
So, as I say farewell, I am full of gratitude to the wonderful people I have enjoyed working with, to our community and, of course, to the cows that day after day have given me the most amazing milk to play with.
