New York Woman Takes Tremendous Leap into Organic Dairy Farming

Less than five years ago, Melissa Moody was at an office desk making phone calls. Driving a UTV up a bouncy, rocky trail to check on cows had not crossed her mind. 

But on a recent blistering hot spring day, she was doing just that. A spunky lab-something-or-other-mix farm dog ran in front of Melissa as she headed up the lane to a far-off pasture to check on her cows — yes, her cows. 

We were all impacted by COVID differently — some more than others. Melissa, who is now 27, held a degree in business administration and was working in a related field when the pandemic led to her being laid off.

Melissa needed to get out of the house and experience a change of scenery. She certainly did. She found a job on a farm — with a strikingly different skillset and view than she knew in an office.

Now, instead of coordinating people’s schedules, she is working with animals and the earth to produce high-quality Organic Valley® milk.

Farming was a challenging and life-altering experience, and when an opportunity came to manage her own farm, she was ready.

An Organic Valley farmer had decided it was time to step away from his operation. He had taught Melissa the basics and gave her the option to purchase the farm before he shut its doors for good. She wasn’t going to let that happen.

The two worked out a financial arrangement so Melissa could make the farm her own. Thanks to their collaboration, another organic family farm is secure!

Organic Dairy Farming in New York

On Sept. 1, 2022, she took over the central New York farm and was milking about 30 cows. She has since increased the herd to about 40 cows. It's just enough to still allow each cow personalized attention without hiring additional help. 

The farm’s former owner has been helpful and left Waymoore, that spunky pup, with Melissa. (Waymoore was way more than the former farmer could handle. Hence, the name.)

Several people questioned Melissa’s decision to farm, and some family members were hoping it was just a phase. Melissa knew better.

“I like doing it, so I will stick with it,” she said. “I tried, and I need to pursue this as long as it makes me happy. I’ve been happy since I started. I can’t see myself happy doing anything else.”

But it is not easy at all! She had zero experience farming, and the profession is more strategic than some may think — it’s not just getting up early and milking and feeding cows. 

Melissa milks the herd at 5:30 a.m. and p.m. and consistently ensures the cows are comfortable. They must have plenty of water, safe shelter and a proper diet (there is a whole science behind this). There is poop to clean, paperwork and bills to sort, fences to move and a never-ending list of tasks to complete to keep a farm running smoothly. The benefits outweigh the challenges, though.

“When I have a bad day, I go to the top pasture and sit and look at all the beautifulness around,” she said, “or I take a nap.” That’s something she couldn’t do before she began farming, but farming is physically demanding and peaceful, allowing her a midafternoon reprieve. “I know my limits and boundaries, and I listen to my body.”

First Generation Female Farmers

The number of women farming in the U.S. decreased from 2017 to 2022, according to the Census of Agriculture. Age, gender and lack of experience did not faze Melissa. Why would it? She wanted to farm and figured out a way.

“I’m a little stubborn. I never thought about statistics and challenges. No matter how I need to get it done, I get it done!”

The numbers show there are very few female farmers in Melissa’s boots.

While exact numbers are hard to come by, available data on female, first-generation, and organic dairy farmers suggests that women younger than 30 running organic dairy farms by themselves are exceptionally rare.

The average age of U.S. farmers is 58. Melissa is certainly an exception, being three decades younger.

Finding a Way to Farm in Trying Times 

Melissa is gaining confidence in many areas, but tractors are still tricky, as she was not brought up around them. She hires help to cut hay and complete other tractor-related tasks.

She is also learning to work along with Mother Nature’s schedule and plans, whether it’s seasons, storms, rain or cold. For instance, during a calm day in October 2024, she had half the cows milked, when the wind picked up. She hunkered down in the milkhouse just in time as a tornado swept down on the farm, taking part of the barn roof with it. Dozens of downed trees remain littered across the farm.

Without electricity for three days, that night she had to finish milking the cows by hand — a time-consuming task. Trees could wait; cow comfort comes first.

And then there was the time a waterline to the cow pasture broke. Melissa found herself digging a 2-foot trough to find the leak and fix it to ensure the cows had plenty of fresh, cool water.

“There is so much to do and so much to learn,” she said. “I am always very motivated and get the job done, but sometimes it is overwhelming. But once I figure out how to start and where to start, I figure it out.”

Organic Cooperative Provides Support

She has a support system of about five area farmers who she can call for advice. Organic Valley also helps in the way of staff members, fellow co-op members and veterinarians who work closely with the farmers.

A group of people working toward common goals during a time farmers faced “go big or get out” agriculture founded Organic Valley in the 1980s. The cooperative provided a way to make a sustainable living while protecting the earth through organic farming. Farmers have always owned the co-op and continue to work together for the common good.

Melissa appreciates the personal aspect of Organic Valley. She knows she cannot milk more than 45 cows without hiring help (which is not financially feasible at this time). Having resources and being an Organic Valley farmer-owner allows her to take on this new career.

Sustainably producing nourishing milk in a place she loves motivates her to work hard and appreciate all she has accomplished.

"When I’m passionate about something, I give it my all,” she said before walking away with Waymoore at her side, back up that rocky trail and on to the next task.