Faith, Family, Farming

Tom Cook checks on a processing machine while Seth Bragg, 15, Austin Cook, 9, and Jason Cook, 15, kill birds to be processed on the family's farm at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 on Monday, September 11, 2017.

Andrea Cook, 9, stands on a freezer while cleaning windows while on the family's farm at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 on Friday, September 22, 2017.

Amber Cook, 5, hugs Andrea Cook, 9, while filling up their pool outside of their home on the farm at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 on Friday, September 22, 2017.

Members of the Cook family prepare lunch in between cleaning the processing area and building a barn while on the family's farm at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 on Friday, September 22, 2017.

Scott Cook, 23, drives a tractor along the back property of the family's farm while on the family's farm at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 on Saturday, September 9, 2017.

A chicken grabs a decapitated head from a bucket filled with discarded bird parts during processing day at the family's farm at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 on Monday, September 11, 2017. On Monday's the family processes customer's birds while on Tuesday's they process their own birds.

Ryan Cook, 17, reaches for the ball while Jason Cook, 15, jumps to catch it while playing a game of basketball outside the garage on the family's farm at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 on Sunday, September 10, 2017. "Sunday's are typically no work days," said Waneta Cook.

Amber Cook, 5, eats a tomato while helping her mother, Waneta Cook, pick vegetables in their greenhouse on the family's farm at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 on Sunday, September 10, 2017.

Eric Cook, 21, leads an injured horse on a nightly walk while girlfriend Rebecca Rodgers, 21, and youngest sister Amber Cook, 5, follow hand in hand while on the family's farm at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 on Sunday, September 10, 2017. "We would joke and say they've had more dates in the barn then anywhere else while helping take care of that horse," Waneta Cook said.

Tom and Waneta Cook moved to their current property at 4282 Hayes Tower Rd, Gaylord, Mich. 49735 in the spring of 1993. At the time only the house was built, and the family consisted of Tom, Waneta, and their oldest daughter Amanda. Over the 24 years that they have lived there, the family has gained 10 more children, 3 grandchildren, 5 more buildings, plenty of animals, and countless memories. "I like it a lot. There's always someone here and something happening," Waneta said. In 2000 they started raising meat birds which eventually turned into the family business. All of their meat is completely natural, non-medicated, and grass fed. Over the years they have grown to sell not only birds but pork, beef, lamb, and eggs.

A big reason they farm is because of their faith in what God has given them and live by the three F's: Faith, Family, Farming. “Everything God made was perfect, so when GMO’s and chemicals are added to our food, we are altering the perfect DNA into something that is man-made,” said Waneta.

The farm is home to a building called The Cabin. The Cabin is a small enclosure in the front of the property next to three horses. There they sell various products that they make including meats and eggs and home-made candles. “Everything sold here is based off of the honors system,” said Ashley Cook, 12.

https://cookfamilyfarm.com