Down on the Farm
<p>St. Ignatius second grader Nakai Sherman feeds a calf during the school's recent visit to the Schock's Mission View Dairy.</p>
<p>St. Ignatius second graders, from left, Elannah Flatlip, Damien Durglo, Xavier Christensen, and Kandi Davis of St. Ignatius, prepare to enter the milking barn while visiting the Schock's Mission View Dairy in St. Ignatius.</p>
ST. IGNATIUS — Mission second-grader Nakai Sherman smiled from ear to ear, as the small, black and white calf near him tugged feverishly at the large bottle.
“He’s pretty hungry, but these little guys are usually always hungry,” said Happy Cheff, of Charlo. “Be careful not to get to close to this one, he might kick,” he added, while keeping a close eye on Nakai and the other children, as they mingled around while feeding the calves.
Happy was one of several on hand to help approximately 40 second graders from St. Ignatius Elementary School during their recent tour to Schock’s Mission View Dairy.
An annual event, the Schock Family has opened its doors to area school children for more than 20 years.
“The kids just love it,” said Paula Schock, who is also a 2nd grade teacher at St. Ignatius Elementary School. “We’ve had snow, rain and lots of mud, but no matter what the weather is like, they still love coming here.”
The dairy, which is located approximately 8 miles from St. Ignatius, sits on 350 acres. Greg and Paula Schock run the dairy in partnership with Greg’s father, Walt. Walt and his wife, Louise, established the dairy in 1956.
“The kids really learned a lot,” said Pam Rodeghiero, of Mission. Rodeghiero’s son Jack was one of the students who toured the dairy last week. “Before the tour, many of the kids didn’t know where their milk at school came from. But now, they do.”
Schock’s Mission View Dairy currently milks 100 cows. The milk is processed in Bozeman and is sold to Darigold.
Despite the numbers, Greg Schock said he’s dealing with a dying industry. “In the 1970s, there were 45 dairys in Lake County. Now, there are only a few.” he said.
“It’s not a money-making industry anymore, but it’s a great way to raise family.” Schock said.
“You know the saying – it takes a family to raise village. Well, it also takes a family to raise a farm,” he added.