9 Ways You Know You Grew Up on a Dutch Dairy (Updated)

Humor

Apr 1

Written By Tara

Growing up in our dairy community in Eastern New Mexico, it felt like everyone I knew was Dutch and dairy farmers. So all of my family's weird quirks seemed normal. It was not until I was older did I realize not everyone did all these things. I have included just a few fun facts. Some are more dairy, some are more Dutch.

1. Shaking the gallon of milk before pouring it

We have all done it, forget to shake the gallon of milk and ended up with cream on our cereal instead of milk! Raw milk is not homogenized like pasteurized milk. So the cream settles on the top.**Please hold your comments about the pros/cons of raw milk.

2. Christmas card pictures with matching cow spot outfits

Yes, this is a real photo of a Christmas card from my family. MOM, please don't make me match my siblings or wear cow spots!

3. Smells like money

When you have non-dairy friends over, and they ask you, "WHAT is that smell?" and you say "what smell?".

4. Playing Dutch Bingo

No, this isn't the next hit board game. Everyone is related and/or knows each other in the Dutch dairy community. Dutch bingo is a conversation between two strangers that goes something like this: Ohhh you are a dairy farmer too. You lived in Chino? So you graduated from OC with Arie DeJong? And married Annelise Van Dam? Isn't she Syp Vander Dussen's neice? Sooo we are 4th cousins!!

5. Free school supplies at the annual convention and expos

All those vendors with all those pencils, pens and notepads. You better grab a bag and start checking off your school supply list. You get to count this one twice if the annual convention was also your "family vacation".

6. Favorite Dutch foods

There is nothing better than all the good Dutch treats! You were the envy of every kid at school when you brought a hagelslag sandwich! (This is a sandwich with chocolate sprinkles and butte in case you were wondering!) A few other favorites are oliebollen at New Years Eve, chocolate letters at Christmas and stroopwafels for breakfast!

7. The dairy is your play ground

Whether you are playing with the calves, building hay forts, playing in the cotton seed or making squirt guns out of syringes, a farm is the most fun place for a kid to grow up!

8. Shit is not a cuss word

It is just a part of life.

9. You love cows

Like really love cows!Did I forget some of your favorite things about being dairy or Dutch? Leave a comment below. I would love to hear other people's most memorable moments!Udderly in love with dairy,New Mexico Milkmaid

Growing up Dutch dairy was a massive part of my life. Now I am here in New Mexico raising two daughters in the Dutch diary life.