“Raising these calves saved me” The Story of Amanda Leik

Dairy farming is hard. Farming solo is even harder. But farming on your own after you’ve lost your soul mate? That takes a special kind of strength. In 2015, Amanda Peckins Leik learned how strong she really was.

“‘Raising these calves saved me’ The Story of Michigan Dairy Widow Amanda Leik” may be read at https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/people/raising-these-calves-saved-me-the-story-of-michigan-dairy-widow-amanda-leik.

I first learned of Amanda when she commented on an earlier article I had written for Progressive Dairyman, https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/people/kentucky-farm-widow-spent-30-years-dairy-farming-solo.  It was the story of my mother-in-law’s challenges farming solo following the death of her husband.  Once I connected with Amanda, I knew I had to tell her story too.  I am grateful she trusted me with the heartbreaking details.