The Walter Zimmerman Family will host the Lancaster County Holstein picnic on June 11th

EPHRATA, Pa. — For the folks at Footbridge Farm, the grass isn’t greener on the other side of either the fence or creek. Located just outside of Ephrata along the Conestoga River, the farm is currently owned and operated by the fourth generation and they feel right at home with what they’re doing.

It’s a style of farming that many in so-called “Pennsylvania Dutch Country” can easily and intimately identify with. Family is what it’s all about, with cows as the “glue” that harmoniously binds, instills an outstanding work ethic while at the same time teaching responsibility and respect for life. And, for sure, the glory goes to God.

This is the place that will host the Lancaster County Holstein Association’s picnic on June 11th. The Walter Zimmerman Family — Walter Sr., Walter Jr. and his wife Louise, and daughter Christa, welcome the Holstein community from near and far. They’re located just a couple of miles from the intersection of U.S. Routes 322 and 222, east of Ephrata. The address is 245 Cabin Road.

The evening’s program will start at 6 p.m. and include a complimentary meal for all attendees.

Instead of a guest speaker, Walter has invited four now retired dairy professionals who totally inspired him when he was a boy. There will be some reminiscing, entertaining and inspiring going on. Please bring your lawn chairs.

Also on the program are:

• A youth and adult dairy judging contest
• Activities for the kids
• Agribusiness partners and vendors
• Door prizes and more!

A visit with Walter and his family made this editor very aware that family and farming heritage stand out at this rather typical Lancaster County dairy farm. We asked Walter to comment about it. Following is what he shared:

“Yes, this is a family farm and we are the fourth generation. Working the ground my ancestors worked is a tremendous honor to me and I hope to pass it on to my family. I strongly feel the best way to keep it in the family is to maintain a deep relationship with God. That, in turn, will bring joy in my life and will transmit to my family.

“You see, we’re influencing those around us every moment of every day and if we don’t love what we’re doing, that most certainly is not an incentive for the next generation to pursue the trade that I pursue. We definitely all enjoy the farm equally and our daughter Christa strongly protests when I jokingly talk of selling the cows to pursue another trade.

“The cows are most certainly not for sale! Talking about the love we have for our animals takes me back to when we were invited on the Lancaster County Holstein tour five years ago. We discovered that there was something different about those family farms. They had something we didn’t have!

“We discovered it’s the love for their animals and their farms. We came home and said to each other we want what those people have!

Asked about keeping the farm profitable, Walter had this to say: “The first thing that comes to mind are the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33: “But seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”

“That’s the main key to profitability,” he affirmed. Continuing, he shared: “We bought the farm from my Dad and our transitioning experience has been great!

The family’s herd of Registered Holsteins consists of 39 cows of which 34 are currently milking. The most recent production average is 23,082M 960F 752P. Latest classification results showed four Excellent, 17 Very Good, 17 Good-Plus and one Good. All are home raised except one.

The cows are housed in a traditional tie stall barn and are exercised on the pasture. 

Replacement animals number 42. The heifers are raised in a traditional style barn and are bedded with straw or corn fodder. Like the cows, they also have access to fresh grass and air. Milk calves are raised on nurse cows.

“We farm our own ground with the help of my Dad,” Walter concluded. “Louise, Christa and I are responsible for the barn chores.”