According to the US Department of Agriculture, Americans are drinking less milk these days. Still, if you’ve recently enjoyed a pint of ice cream or a post-workout glass of chocolate milk, you can thank a dairy farmer.
If you live in South Florida, that farmer is probably a member of the Rucks family.
Milking R dairy farm and ice cream shop is owned by Sutton and Kris Rucks in Okeechobee. The couple runs the business with the help of their two adult children and a staff of about a dozen people.
Sutton’s grandparents bought the farmland in 1956, and a lot has changed since then. But much remains the same, including the 12-hour workdays and never-ending troubleshooting to ensure the health of their 1,500 milking cows.
Sutton and Kris discuss how dairy farming has evolved over time, the challenges of being a dairy farmer in a world full of milk alternatives, and the reasons for Florida’s dwindling number of dairy farmers. They also discuss the role of women in the dairy industry and the importance of teaching children where their food comes from.
