Cheryl DeHann keeps KING5 well-fed and happy during the morning show.
Photos by Kathy Modin, program tech, FSA Washington State
A two-week old calf tugged at the heartstrings of “New Day Northwest” viewers, showcasing the local face of Washington’s dairy producers on the KING-5 Seattle television morning show.
“We went on hoping to show the people of the state that farming is local,” said Larry DeHaan, co-owner of Storm Haaven Farm in Lynden. “We’re trying to break-down the perception that all farmers are these big corporations, we’re just local folks with the same issues everyone else has.”
The calf helped to illustrate how animals in Washington’s dairies are treated, and how care and respectful treatment is an essential part of the dairy process.
The morning show appearance was just a part of the DeHaan’s marketing process. A member of Darigold, DeHaan and his cows have also graced Seattle area billboards. Darigold is hoping to continue this “face of farming” initiative with future spots hosted by chefs that focus on butter and cheese.
In addition to Darigold, the visit fit into a USDA initiative called “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.” DeHaan, a new member of the state committee, was able to promote this project with his family’s appearance. These kinds of enterprises are important because one percent of the population is engaged in farming, and therefore providing for the other 99 percent, he said.
“We’re fourth generation dairy producers, and this helped to showcase that we’re ordinary members of the community,” he said.
Pete Carroll, the new Seattle Seahawks coach, was a late addition to the morning program’s schedule, trimming some of the DeHaan’s interview. The show hopes to bring the family back for another interview, including a full-grown cow instead of a calf.
DeHaan is also a member of the Washington Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. Larry didn’t initially seek out farming as a profession. He tried his hand at the academic’s life, but after a year in the university system knew his heart was in farming. The Farmer’s Home Association, predecessor to today’s FSA, was able to bankroll his initial operation.
“I know it’s not like this now, but I was able to start my operation two months after getting my papers in,” he said. “FSA is the reason I was able follow my passion.”
The DeHaan’s now have roughly 450 head of adult cattle at their dairy with another 400 young stock. Larry and his wife Cheryl have been working the farm for 37 years, and all four of their children have gone into some form of agri-business.
“At the end of the day, we want people to utilize the safe and viable food supply we have here instead of looking to other countries for their meals,” he said.
— by Patrick Lewis, program tech, FSA Washington State
