It is absolute mayhem when I arrive at New Beginnings Farm in Bethel. Everywhere young children are running around with goats, getting their charges ready for the Tunbridge Fair, only one week away. It's time for trimming the coats, and the children are learning how from the Miriam Kill, a mother of four and 4-H instructor of many more.

Young people come from up to an hour away to learn animal care and husbandry from Miriam and her husband Jerry, who is in the barn finishing up milking with the older teens.

A week from now, at the fair, there will be blue ribbons aplenty. For now, however, the enthusiasm and laughter of children with these animals is more than enough to make me chuckle and smile.

These moments are a special part of what goes into the making of Cabot butter and cheese.

By Bob Eddy
Cabot/Agrimark