Local farmers donate load of organic hay to drought-stricken Texas dairy farm

by Lissa Blake

Despite tough economic times, generosity is still alive and well in Allamakee County.
Last week, a group of local farmers donated more than 18 tons of organic hay to a farm family in drought-ridden Texas. Gary, Kim, Clinton and Clayton Welsh of Welsh Family Organic Farm; Mark Kruse; Andy Leppert; Merlin Gesing; and Joel Winnes helped prepare the semi-load, which was shipped to Kent and Ramy Jisha of Yantis, TX.
Gary Welsh said he had heard about the difficult conditions his colleagues to the south were facing and decided to see if anyone else was interested in helping.
“I had heard of a few loads heading down there from Charles City. So during a field day at our farm I just threw the idea out there and received a really good response,” said Welsh.
He said while it was relatively easy to line up the donated hay, deciding who to give it to and how to get it there presented a challenge. He enlisted the help of Organic Valley of LaFarge, WI. Welsh serves on the board of Organic Prairie, the division of Organic Valley which purchases the Welsh family’s chicken, beef and pork.
“All of the other farmers donating the hay are also Organic Valley producers, so we thought we’d ask them (Organic Valley) for ideas,” he said.
Organic Valley’s CROPP (Cooperative Region of Organic Producer Pools) Cooperative organic feed program helped make arrangements for shipment of the hay to the Jishas, who are also Organic Valley producers. “We’ve had the hay lined up since September, but it took a while to figure out the best way to get it there,” said Welsh.

AN ATYPICAL YEAR
With a dairy herd of about 80 cattle, Jisha said during a “normal” year his pasture lasts until about November, when he starts feeding the hay he has grown and baled himself. But last year’s lack of precipitation was anything but normal.
“Not only did our pasture not last, but we were unable to grow any of our own hay,” said Jisha, who began purchasing hay in June.
To further complicate the matter, there are only a handful of organic dairies in the entire state, and organic feed can be extremely difficult to find. “Plus, the price is crazy,” he said.  

A YOUNG FAMILY
Welsh said when Organic Valley suggested the Jishas as recipients for the load, he was able to go online to Organic Valley’s “Meet your farmer” page and learn more about them. “What intrigued me is that they just seemed like a young family with a great place there,” he said.
Mark Kruse, who runs a 75-cow organic dairy near Lansing and serves on the Organic Valley board of directors, added he was glad to help because he knows Texas has been suffering for quite a while. “I have to give Gary all the credit because he really put the load together,” he said.

MANY THANKS
While Welsh may have had the idea for the shipment, he said he couldn’t have done it without help. “I’d really like to thank the farmers and Organic Valley,” he said.
Jisha and his family are also grateful, and Jisha said he hopes the farmers in this area never have to experience the conditions Texas has experienced. “I would like to return the favor if I could. But I hope I don’t have to,” he said.
For more information about Organic Valley or any of the farmers involved with the hay donation, visit www.organicvalley.coop.