82-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 22, 1995 Harry and Annette Buck with Stephanie, 16; Jarod, 14, and Kathryn, 10, Holsti work together on the farm and off the farm. The family milks about 60 grade Family Togetherness Prevails At Buck Farm LOU ANN GOOD Lebanon have their own unwritten Lancaster Fanning Staff list of priorities but remain flexible LEBANON (Lebanon Co.) enough to adjust to the ebb and Some families set priorities. Some flow of living, drift along and deal with things as The dose-knit family embrace they happen. The Buck family in many projects together from As dairy promotion coordinator for Lebanon County, Annette often works with her daughter irt preparing dishes that include real dairy products. Stephanie prepares her calf Jewel for 4-H competition shows. farm work to community and church activities. Hairy and Annette and their three children Stephanie, 16; Jarod, 14, and Kathryn, 10, farm ISO acres and milk about 60 cows. ‘Tve lived here all my life,” Harry said of the farm that his fam ily purchased in the 19205. The bank bam was built in 1822 and Harry surmises the house was probably built at the same time. Since then several buildings have been added including a dairy bam built in 1971. Two Harvestores were added six years ago and a silo for high moisture com about 18 months ago. “We try to keep debt down by saving enough money before mak ing purchases,” Harry said. “That often means putting things off before we make changes.” His wife said that waiting gives her plenty of time to research ideas. She waited many years for a new kitchen, but considers it worth the wait. The former kitchen was located in a small enclosed porch. About three years ago, the Bucks added onto the house and the spacious kitchen now has plenty of win dows, a skylight, and light oak cupboards with lots of counter space. “I went to a lot of open houses to get ideas,” Annette said. She enjoys going to auctions and picking up several pieces such as a large sideboard that fits in the combined dining and sitting area off the kitchen. A wooden box with dried flowers, collectibles, and handicrafts by several family members add interest to the room. Stenciled cows on the white walls, a cow motif tablecloth and afghan, and numerous other cow artifacts are found throughout the home. Annette said, “I thought we had enough cows outside without hav ing them in the kitchen, but several people gave us some (cow memor abilia) and now we are into cows (inside).” As members of Atlantic Dairy is and tills 150 acres that has been In Harry's family since the 19205. ion County Dairy Maid, Stepha. , often assists with dairy promotional events. Her favorite promotions are telling kids about the goodness of milk. To reinforce the message, she often hands out “Rear stickers like the one she places on her sister Kathryn. Cooperative, the Bucks always apparent reason and then drops shoot for the 20-cent bonus paid even though they don’t do any for quality milk and are pleased thing differently, that they usually achieve it His interest in the count fluctua- So much of producing quality tions began in 1969. while work milk hinges on the somatic cell ing on the farm for his dad. Hany count Harry finds it fascinating to had read an article on research that try to figure out why the somatic showed somatic cell counts drop count sometimes goes up for no Homestead Notes (Turn to Page B 4)