Caring for Calves and Kids

Written By: Lexi DeVries, Midst of Motherhood

I was just 16 years old when I showed up at my neighbor’s dairy farm at 5 a.m., hoping to get a job milking cows. Having never milked a cow before in my life, this was way out of my comfort zone. But in my mind, it beat ringing up groceries or waitressing. So I showed up—scared, unsure, but willing to try.

Fast forward many years, and my now husband and I got the opportunity to buy our own herd of cows.

We didn’t come from a long line of dairy farmers. There was no land passed down, no generations of guidance—just a dream, a stubborn work ethic, and a whole lot of figuring it out as we went. Starting our first-generation dairy farm was one of the scariest things my husband and I have ever done. But we did it anyway.

And I’ve learned that “doing it scared” is often the only way big, meaningful things ever get started.

As women in agriculture, especially those of us raising both kids and calves, we know what it means to juggle life in the margins—nap times, feeding times, chore shifts, and late-night worries. We carry the weight of meals, milkings, meltdowns, and making ends meet. And still, something in us dreams about more—more purpose, more fulfillment, more ownership over our time and income.

That’s exactly where I was when I started my online business.

With a baby in my arms, I launched a virtual assistant business from the corner of our cluttered kitchen. I had no roadmap, no fancy setup, and more questions than answers. But I kept thinking: If I wait until I feel ready, I’ll be waiting forever.

So I just started.

I learned how to start a business, worked during nap times and between chores, and grew my skills and confidence. Eventually, my side hustle grew into a business that now supports other women doing the same—starting scared but starting anyway.

And what I’ve come to know is this: courage doesn’t roar. Sometimes, it looks like Googling how to send your first invoice. Or signing up for a business email with a sleeping baby in your arms. Or showing up on social media with mud on your boots and a heart full of hope.

We’re not just raising kids and calves—we’re raising dreams, too.

Whether it’s launching a new side hustle, taking on more responsibility on the farm, or stepping into something that feels way outside your comfort zone, know this: you don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. You don’t need perfect timing or confidence that shines. You need a spark of belief—and the guts to do it scared.

From one farm mom to another, I see you. You’re already stronger than you think.

So go ahead—start the thing. Messy, scared, unsure. Start it anyway.

You never know who you’re raising, what you’re building, or what legacy you’re leaving… just by showing up in this season and giving it what you’ve got.

Lexi DeVries is a wife, mom of two, and first-generation dairy farmer in Wisconsin. She’s also a certified online business manager and the founder of Midst of Motherhood. From building her business during nap times to managing life on the farm, Lexi is passionate about helping women in agriculture create flexible, fulfilling businesses that grow alongside the life they love.

Learn more at www.midstofmotherhood.com