Latest news with #cowcuddling
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cow Cuddling Business Brings Comfort and Healing
Growing up on dairy farms, Amanda Klein and Lisa Buccieri discovered just how calming being around cows could be. So they began offering cuddling sessions with the animals to bring joy to others. Here, they share their story. After yet another stressful day carrying an endless workload at her corporate job, 43-year-old Lisa Buccieri let out a sigh of frustration. 'There has to be something better out there for me,' she blurted out loud in exasperation. Suddenly, memories of her past growing up on a dairy farm filled her mind. She had always gone to her cows when life got her down. Just a simple hug, their sweet grassy smell, the calm in their loving brown eyes as she just sat with them in the quiet, was all it took to give her just the therapy she needed. What if there was a way to start a cow cuddling business where others could feel that same comfort, too? she asked herself. For the last few years, she had been pitching in part-time at Klein Farms Dairy and Creamery in Easton, Pennsylvania, with Amanda Klein, a friend she had met through 4-H when they were younger. The two often shared stories of growing up on dairy farms and their passion for the animals. Excited, Lisa couldn't shake her wacky idea and ran it by Amanda, who was immediately on board. It was something the two loved to talk about, thinking someday it could be worth a try. Then, out of the blue, Lisa was laid off due to a site closure. This is fate taking the wheel and steering me in a very different direction, Lisa realized. 'The time is now,' she told Amanda, finally sure of what to do. 'Let's get this cow cuddling venture off the ground!' Following a new calling By June 2024, Lisa and Amanda had launched La Farm Girls, and cow cuddling sessions were open to the public. After getting permission from Klein Farm's owners and working out the legalities, they revamped a portion of the hay shed, giving it a rustic, homey feel to make it inviting for cuddling sessions. They decided to offer 15-minute, 30-minute and 45-minute sessions on weekends for $15 to $25 per person, with the money going toward caring for the cows and keeping the farm running. Once Lisa and Amanda got the word out on social media and posted a booking link on their website, not only did they attract an array of new clients, but the media caught on and covered the story, bringing in even more business. Before they knew it, they were fully booked for the summer months. Cow cuddling offers hugs and happiness As each session took place, the outcome was even better than Amanda or Lisa could have imagined. People traveled from hours away just to experience one-on-one time with the cows, often leaving in tears and feeling profoundly changed by the miraculously soothing experience. One man, who came to the farm with his family from Reading, Pennsylvania, grew emotional. He had grown up on a dairy farm, but after the livestock was sold, he never thought he'd have the chance to lie down with a big cow like he did when he was a boy. 'I never thought I would have this opportunity to feel this comfort again,' he said, choking up. Another woman and her boyfriend brought her grandparents to cuddle a cow. Her grandmother's health had been deteriorating, but because of her love of cows, she booked a session as a special gift. The grandmother made her way into the cuddling pen, sat down on a bale of hay and joyfully cradled the cow's head in her lap with a big smile on her face—bringing tears of joy to everyone's eyes. Yet another young woman booked a session and broke down crying after the heartwarming experience. She had been going through a difficult divorce and found solace and healing by petting and hugging the calves—something she couldn't do anywhere else. Making a dream come true To date, La Farm Girls has held more than 300 cuddling sessions and plans to keep going strong, with hopes of hosting events for birthday parties, weddings and other big celebrations. They also dream of offering educational classes on the farm, as well as visiting schools to teach students about the dairy and agricultural industries. Most of all, Lisa and Amanda plan to continue giving everyone a chance to find solace and happiness by cuddling calves and cows—a sense of peace they've always been grateful for. 'Cuddling cows can literally take all of your stress away and help keep your focus on positive things,' says Amanda. Lisa nods with a bright smile. 'Many people looked at us like we were crazy when we had this idea,' she says. 'It just goes to show, don't give up on what you're passionate about. It can be life-changing!' For more inspiring stories about animals, keep reading… This Special Needs Pup Couldn't Walk—Now He's Spreading Joy to Thousands With Every Wobble A Little Boy's Big Heart: His Lemonade Stand Has Raised $35K to Help Shelter Pets in Need A Daughter's Grief Became a Gift: Her Nonprofit Helps Pets Stay With Ailing Owners Solve the daily Crossword
The Independent
23-06-2025
- General
- The Independent
One farm's surprising pivot after farming became unviable
Dumble Farm in England 's northeast has transitioned from dairy farming to offering cow cuddling experiences due to devastating floods and low milk prices. Persistent flooding repeatedly destroyed crops, and milk prices fell below production costs, making traditional dairy farming economically unviable. For 95 pounds, visitors can cuddle, brush, and stroke cows in a straw-covered enclosure, with the experience also including a safari to see Highland cattle. It took over a year to train the cows to be comfortable with cuddling, but they have now fully adjusted and enjoy the pampering. Proceeds from the cow cuddling experiences are used to fund a wildlife conservation scheme, creating habitats and supporting declining species like lapwing birds.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Why this UK dairy farm swapped milk production for cow cuddling
A dairy farm in England 's northeast decided to stop milking its cows and instead charge visitors to cuddle them, a unique pivot driven by years of devastating floods and low food prices. Dumble Farm, established as a dairy operation in the 1970s, faced insurmountable challenges in recent years. Persistent flooding repeatedly washed out crops and destroyed the specific grass vital for their herd, while milk prices plummeted below the cost of production, making traditional farming economically unviable. "The amount of flooding and the pressures on our land were just making it unsustainable for us to carry on," Fiona Wilson, co-owner of the farm, said. Agriculture is one of the sectors worst-affected by climate change, with farmers in Europe and elsewhere suffering under increasing heat, drought and flooding. In 2022, Dumble Farm sold all but a few of its dairy cows and, in a scramble to reinvent itself, began offering "cow cuddling" experiences to fund a wildlife conservation scheme. For 95 pounds, visitors can cuddle, brush and stroke the cows as they lie down on a straw-covered enclosure inside a barn. The experience includes a safari to see Highland cattle. "It's been so worth it, just to get so close to the cows, and they are so loving and gentle," guest Emma Hutton, 25, said after she spent some time cuddling one of the cows. It took over a year to train the cows to feel comfortable with cuddling, but now the animals have fully adjusted, farmer James McCune said. "They like being pampered. They are like big dogs... It's more of a spa day for the cows," McCune said. The farm uses the proceeds to create habitats to protect wildlife and support declining species, such as lapwing birds. "It's great that we can fund the conservation scheme by having visitors to the farm, and that's really the bigger picture," Wilson said.
Reuters
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
UK farm swaps milk for cow cuddles as floods and food prices take their toll
ARRAM, England, June 19 (Reuters) - Years of floods and low food prices have driven a dairy farm in England's northeast to stop milking its cows and instead charge visitors to cuddle them. Dumble Farm started as a dairy farm in the 1970s, but in recent years flooding washed out crops and killed off the type of grass the cows like to eat, while milk prices below cost of production proved an insurmountable challenge. "The amount of flooding and the pressures on our land were just making it unsustainable for us to carry on," said Fiona Wilson, co-owner of the farm. Agriculture is one of the sectors worst-affected by climate change, with farmers in Europe and elsewhere suffering under increasing heat, drought and flooding. In 2022, Dumble Farm sold all but a few of its dairy cows and, in a scramble to reinvent itself, began offering "cow cuddling" experiences to fund a wildlife conservation scheme. For 95 pounds ($127.80), visitors can cuddle, brush and stroke the cows as they lie down on a straw-covered enclosure inside a barn. The experience includes a safari to see Highland cattle. "It's been so worth it, just to get so close to the cows, and they are so loving and gentle," guest Emma Hutton, 25, said after she spent some time cuddling one of the cows. It took over a year to train the cows to feel comfortable with cuddling, but now the animals have fully adjusted, farmer James McCune said. "They like being pampered. They are like big dogs... It's more of a spa day for the cows," McCune said. The farm uses the proceeds to create habitats to protect wildlife and support declining species, such as lapwing birds. "It's great that we can fund the conservation scheme by having visitors to the farm, and that's really the bigger picture," Wilson said. ($1 = 0.7433 pounds)
