Teague Family, Reedy Fork Farm (continued)

George and his Dad, who is 85, are still in partnership on the farm, so one of the most important aspects of their transition to organic has been the support of both George and Cherry's parents. "We're so fortunate that our parents are open to this and feel that we are on the right path. There hasn't been one single time that they told us we were crazy. George's Dad has always stood behind us one hundred per cent."

And considering that George has been brought to the brink of wanting to leave farming on more than one occasion, his Dad's support is very important to him. Equally important is the support of their son, Taylor, who helps out a lot on the farm. At 21, he's in college still, but he's not sure yet what he wants to do. Back when George toured those organic farms, one of the things that impressed him most about the farm families he met was that all their kids were coming back to the farm. "When we were still farming conventionally, we told our son 'whatever you do, we don't want you to come back to the farm. It's no kind of life.' Now we would be thrilled if he chose this career, because there's something to look forward to."

"Ever since we've been part of Organic Valley all the farmers and farm families we've met are so positive, supportive and sharing," Cherry says. "We have never experienced anything like that. It's a real eye-opener. We feel blessed every day for that connection." When last year the Carolinas were decimated by prolonged drought conditions and the Teagues were afraid they'd go under, they went to Organic Valley for help and got it. "In the past we were members of other kinds of co-ops and organizations," George said, "and we never got that kind of support. With Organic Valley, you're treated like what you are—one of the member-owners of the cooperative, not just another employee.

"We've said through all of this that if we went out of business tomorrow we would still live and breathe organic. It's nothing but beneficial for the earth, the cows and for us. We wouldn't go back for anything. When we see how open our children are to this lifestyle, we know they'll instill those values in their children, and that makes us really happy."