Haute on the Ranch: A Q&A with Dr. Marissa Hake @calfvet_

"A righteous person cares for the needs of their animals." Proverbs 12:10

We are SO excited for this Q&A with Dr. Marissa Hake of @calfvet_! She is a Food Animal Veterinarian, Farmer's Wife and Mama to a sweet little boy. Talk about a rock star of a gal!  Just recently Dr. Hake was introduced to the Ariat Women's Rebar Line and is loving how it fits her hands-on, and demanding day-to-day life.  If you are not familiar with the line, it is a curated collection that truly fits the woman that works with her hands and needs a wardrobe that's just as tough as her! Whether is be agricultural, DIY, artisan work, construction, manufacturing, forestry...you name it, the list is long.  Here is a peek at the life{&}style of a woman who puts these pieces to work.

Jacket: The Drayton

Where are you from? I am from Middleville, MI - which is a small town on the west-side of Michigan.

Did you grow up on a farm? I grew up on a retired dairy farm that raised corn, soybeans and alfalfa. As a kid I started out riding ponies and then moved into riding Arabian/Half-Arabian saddlebreds. I still ride to this day!

 Hoodie: The Irving

What led you to vet school? Initially, horses led me to vet school. I thought that I wanted to go into equine sports medicine, but after I started my animal science classes my interest changed. My focus shifted towards production animal medicine and that continues to be my passion.

What is it you like about cattle? Cows are pretty amazing up-cyclers! They can take materials that are inedible to humans and turn it into high quality protein/milk for humans. Besides their underestimated sustainability story, they are just really fun to work with (most days!).

Beanie: Ariat Rebar Beanie {heather burgundy}, Jacket: The Drayton, Jeans: The Layne Mid Rise Bootcut Rebar Jean 

What type of operation does your family run now? We have a cash-crop farm in NW Ohio where we raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat and cover crops. We also raise wean-to-finish hogs, feedlot steers and have around 50 head of British white mama cows.

What do you look for when it comes to your workwear?

I am all about comfort and durability. As a veterinarian, I need clothes that withstand blood, manure and abuse, but also look professional. I personally love vests (this is true of most vets). I just tried out The Maddock {vest}! I really love it because it's durable, water-resistant, looks good, but also isn't too stiff or restricting!

 Top: The Plano, Vest: The Maddock {vest}, Jeans: The Layne Mid Rise Bootcut Rebar Jean 

What do you like about the agriculture industry?

The story. Every farmer and rancher have a unique one. We get to have this awesome connection with our animals and our land, that most don't get to experience. It's so much more than a job or a career, it's a marriage.

Why did you start your Instagram?

So, I started @CalfVet as a resource for farmers and consumers alike to help understand how we raise our calves and why their health and welfare is important to us.

 Hoodie: The Irving, Jeans: The Layne Mid Rise Bootcut Rebar Jean

Is there a story behind your merch?

As it grew overtime, I had people say, "I love your logo, I would buy it" or "Oh put that on a shirt!"... So, one day I decided to partner up with FarmFocused to offer merch. I love being able to be creative and design stuff for others to enjoy.

What does Proverbs 12:10 means to you?

Proverbs 12:10 is my favorite design. I've had the verse as my email signature for years and it's honestly my guiding principle. When I developed the design, I used my first ever, owned by me, born on my farm, calf named Rona as the model. She represents the realization of a dream come true and will always hold a special place in my heart, along with that verse.

Jacket: The Drayton, Jeans: The Layne Mid Rise Bootcut Rebar Jean

Thank you Marissa for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself! We hope you all enjoyed that as much as we did.  And don't forget to follow along with Dr. Hake on Instagram @calfvet_  You are going to love the fresh new content in your feed! :)

To shop Marissa's picks and more from our new Ariat Rebar Women's line, click here to shop them all!

Til next time,

S7s Team ;)