Support Windy Acres Dairy's Revival

Hello everyone, my name is Billie Johnson. I am the steward of a raw milk dairy farm / herd share in Central Oregon. With the help of many volunteers, I have provided nutrient dense food for families in my community since 2004. I am now in a situation that forces me to ask for help.

Several years ago, I began to look for the next stewards of the farm, a family as passionate about farming and food as I am. My desire was to hand over the reins of daily operations and continue providing raw milk products to my many loyal consumers. In 2023, a family found my farm. Soon to retire from the military, they expressed interest to begin a new life as dairy farmers. The family visited me several times over the course of many months, and appeared eager to take on the challenges of farming. When they signed on the dotted line, the true work began.

The intent, and our agreement, was for the family to learn the ropes of dairy farming under my mentoring, as I had managed the farm by myself since 2007. On July 1, 2023, we began a 2 year lease option. In short order, they refused my training and input and our deal soured.

With the farm under their operation, everything I built over the last 20+ years quickly began to crumble. Lacking the knowledge and nuance of what is required to keep cows healthy, happy and producing high quality milk, the animals and product began to suffer and with it, the farm's income and reputation in our region. Within a few months, many of my loyal herdshare members disengaged with the farm. In 2022, I was named Raw Milk Farmer of the Year by the Weston A. Price Foundation; just over a year later, I lost nearly half my members over safety and sanitation concerns of the milk produced under this family's operation.

Over the following year, including a tough winter, the harsh reality set in for the family of what being a dairy farmer actually is and how much work it requires. Just over a year after their lease began, the family abandoned our deal. On September 1, 2024, I returned to the farm. Since then I have worked tirelessly to restore my farm, primarily the health and happiness of my herd and land, in addition to equipment and infrastructure repairs. Unfortunately, the family and I were never able to reconcile our differences and a lawsuit has been filed against me demanding I pay them for their labor at the farm.

This is a frivolous lawsuit without merit, meant to punish me for their under appreciation of the challenges and complexity of running a farm operation. Nevertheless, I am compelled to defend myself or risk losing all I have nurtured and labored over for more than two decades. As my attorney fees pile up, I am being mentally and financially destroyed. I have gone through the retirement funds that I've saved over my lifetime. I am not sure how I can continue buying hay, rolled barely, supplies, minerals, pay the power bill and make repairs. Thank goodness for all of the volunteers!

Little by little, day by day, I move forward with a positive attitude. I have no regrets of my choice to be a dairy farmer. I love providing quality food and being a steward of the land. There isn’t a day that goes by where someone doesn’t learn from one another here at the farm. This farm was created to bring like-minded people together and it continues to do just that.

While away from the farm, I realized this is where I am meant to be. This is my family and community. The babies that are born here are taken care of by their mamas. Adults and children learn more than any book or classroom can teach by observing life on this farm. The mutual love and respect is ongoing. As long as I have volunteers I will do my best to continue this journey.

Right now I’m not sure where the next dollar will come from to pay the attorney, mortgage, feed bill, and everything required for the forthcoming irrigation season. Costs are everywhere and rising: attorney bills, broken equipment, utilities. A 300-pound pig was recently stolen from the farm, just after 4 baby piglets were stolen several months ago, which is a significant loss of income. My members are rallying and supportive, helping to get security cameras up so this doesn’t happen again.

The intent for this fundraiser is simple: to keep up with costs so that I may continue producing nutrient dense, locally raised food for my community. If independent farmers are not supported, we will disappear. If not for this unwarranted, vicious lawsuit, I would not be asking for financial assistance. I have found a way to make it work for twenty years and this unfortunate turn of events could end it all.

Any donation is very much appreciated! Thank you for your support and sharing of this fundraiser.