Storm Haaven Farm started with just sixty acres in 1973, 40 holstein cows, a small hip-roofed barn, 250 gallon milk tank and a 35’ uprite silo.  Always being goal oriented, many changes to the operation have occurred since that meager beginning.  They currently farm 350 acres and milk 300 grade Holsteins and 80 Registered Brown Swiss.  This means there are also about 400 young stock, aged 0-24 months included in the operation.  They pasture graze about half of his herd on the original sixty acre farm and grow grass for silage on most of the rest of the acreage, growing only about ten acres of corn.  All silage is custom harvested.  The nutrient management plan (manure) includes storage in a lagoon and custom aerating as needed after crop removal as fertilizer for the next crop of grass.  The 1980 Tri-gon herringbone12-stall parlor was replaced in 2006 with a new double-15 parallel milking parlor.  Milking from between the rear legs rather than from the side is a new, but rewarding challenge.  Milking time was cut in half which also reduces hired labor expenses.  Larry is very happy with his decision to continue milking for a number of years yet.   

Cheryl has been an ag activist for most of their married years.  She has been involved with the Farm Friends organization since its inception in 1999 and is currently the Community Education Program Manager.  The kids were all active in 4-H and FFA.  Cheryl was a co-leader of the Barnyard Kids 4-H Club for 15 years and is still involved with the Lynden FFA chapter even though all the kids have graduated. 

Showing the Registered Brown Swiss Cows was a focus for both the kids and the family for many years.  Even now, several animals are leased out to local 4-H and FFA youth each year so they too can enjoy the experience of showing.

Cheryl has been an active member of the Whatcom County and State Dairy Women.  She serves on the Whatcom County Farm Bureau Board, the Whatcom County Youth Fair Board and the Washington Ag In the Classroom Board.  Both Larry (Class 25) and Cheryl (Class 28) have completed the Washington AgForestry Education Leadership program. Larry was honored with the Karl and Lexie Kupers Leading Edge Leadership Award for his innovative farming techniques and ideas.  They were the 1991 Whatcom County Dairy Family of the Year representatives.  Cheryl was honored with the 1999 Sol H. Lewis Community Service Award for north Whatcom County.  Larry presently serves on the Bertrand WID (Watershed Improvement District) Board of Directors. 

          

Not only is Storm Haaven Farm a sustainable operation, it has shown exemplary land stewardship over the years and was named Whatcom Conservation District Cooperator of the year in 1999.  Larry has partnered with NSEA and other agencies to develop natural resources and protect streams on all of his properties. He was one of the first to write a Farm Plan with the Whatcom Conservation District and he works hand in hand with N3 Consulting Group to keep the Nutrient Management Plan up to date.  The farm grew hundreds of trees for the Trees for Streams project and planted many along their ditches and streams to provide shade and habitat for salmon and other wildlife.  Larry has been involved with a couple of ongoing water monitoring projects both with ground and surface waters on the farms’ properties.   

       

Any comments or questions can be directed to stormhaaven@juno.com   

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