When he was a sophomore at Meridian High School, Leo Harrison had to make a choice: get to his basketball practice on time or help a cow deliver a calf on his uncle's farm. For Harrison, the decision was simple.
"I had to help her," he said.
Five years later, cows remain Harrison's priority.
At 20, he started his own dairy farm at a time when most farmers were looking to get out of the business. For Harrison, the declining economy brought unique opportunity; cows were "dirt cheap" and he could easily secure a low-interest loan.
He officially started Harrison Dairy on Aug. 28, 2009, using the facilities and equipment on his aunt and uncle's Everson property. His uncle had been a dairy farmer until about four years ago when he got a job at BP Cherry Point. He had planned to sell his farm equipment, but his nephew begged him to keep it.
After graduating from Meridian High School in 2007, Harrison attended Ridgewater College in Willmar, Minn., where he studied dairy management.
Now at 21, Harrison runs a farm of 50 milking cows and sells about 64,500 pounds of milk a month to Darigold.
"It's what he's always wanted to do," said Leo's dad, Larry Harrison. "Ever since he was small, he was never afraid to be around cows. I've got pictures of him, about 4- or 5-years-old, with 30 cows around him."
For Leo Harrison, the simple part of running his own farm has been the early morning hours. Each weekday morning, Harrison gets up at 5:30 a.m. to milk the cows. Milking the cows takes about an hour and a half. Afterward he keeps busy by fixing farm equipment, helping his cows calve and performing other farm tasks until about 5:30 p.m. when it's time to milk the cows again. Around 9:30 p.m., he goes to bed.
Harrison said what he's most thankful for is the support of other Whatcom County dairy farmers who have answered his questions and offered advice.
By the end of the year, Harrison said he hopes to add 30 more cows to his dairy farm, but he's not looking for his farm to grow exponentially.
"You don't want to get too big too fast," he said.
Interested in learning more about a local business? Reach ISABELLE DILLS at isabelle.dills@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2220.
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