JJC Jerseys participates in USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program to help local families
Juli Oberlander • October 1, 2020
JJC Jerseys participates in USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program to help local families
Photos courtesy of Jodi Cast
As low-income families have struggled to obtain proper nutrition during COVID-19, JJC Jerseys, a dariy farm in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, has stepped forward to help.
In partnership with Midwest Dairy, JJC Jerseys has provided fresh milk and dairy products to families in need through the USDA Farmers and Families Food Box Program. Jodi Cast, who owns JJC Jerseys and operates the farm with her husband and six children, says daily life went on as usual for the family despite COVID-19.
"In all honesty, not much changed in our day-to-day routine," Cast says. "When many businesses had to close, we still milked our cows twice a day. Our life had to continue on normally because the animals demanded it."
While regular operations didn't change, Cast's children faced an adjustment in their school and work routines.
"When school went remote in the spring, our kids did double duty as students and our farm helpers again," Cast says. "We have no outside help so our kids have a huge role on our farm."
However, she says the family continued to take care of their cows, heifers and calves to maintain business as usual.
"We couldn't stop milking, or feeding or caring for our animals," Cast says. "They needed us the same way they did before COVID-19."
To learn more about how the family adjusted to the pandemic and helped provide food to the community, watch this video:
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