Today we’d like to introduce you to Darcy Desens. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Mr. Darcy, eerily similar to the notorious gentleman that frequents a beloved Jane Austen novel, has lived in Wright County, Minnesota, his entire life. His family can trace their land ownership back to Civil War days and the grand story of pioneers in the Big Woods, aka Laura Ingalls Wilder. The family has even preserved a section of this original wood by donating it to the DNR, ensuring nature will continue to do what it does best.
Darcy graduated from Rockford High School, after which he studied at the University of Minnesota, achieving his BS degree in Animal Science. Dedicated to following his dream of maintaining the family farm despite the suburbanization of Wright County, Darcy took a “real job” as the Parks Manager for the City of Rockford to supplement his income. Balancing a full work week and farm demands often results in a sleepy boy sacked out on the couch at 10 p.m.!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While life on the farm has its natural charm, the hard work and maintenance take time and energy. Darcy also supports his wife, Rebecca, in her journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. This connective tissue disorder has restricted her ability to help on the farm and participate in daily life as she would like.
Every weekend, Darcy creates an allergy-free #happybreakfast for Rebecca. These whimsical designs have become beloved posts on social media for family and friends in the shape of flowers, animals, and even ice skates.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Using his education to ensure soil health in his pastures and fields, Darcy is committed to raising non-GMO corn to supplement the forage diet of cattle when they aren’t grazing. Rotating his herd through 20 acres of available clover and grass pasture during the warmer months allows Darcy to maintain healthy, happy cows who nurse their calves for at least six months. The space they have to move naturally as a herd lowers disease occurrence, making it rarely necessary to use antibiotics or other medicines — a healthier step for both consumers and the environment.
Whether rescuing an intrepid tuxedo kitten who explored too high in the tree, replanting a heritage dahlia bulb he saved from the frost, or planning a rose garden next to the prairie planting, Darcy’s heart has never left the land he was born to. His quiet spirit and love of all things living have created the business he runs — and his herd of Simmental-Red Angus cross, which are truly Mr. Darcy’s Cows.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mrdarcyscows.com
- Instagram: @mrdarcyscows
Image Credits
Rebecca Desens
