by Pat Malin
Emily Richards and Morgan Smithling, junior members of the New York Brown Swiss Association and daughters of dairy farmers from tiny rural communities in western New York, could not attend this year’s New York State Dairy Carousel, however, their names were on everyone’s lips. Dozens of fellow farmers and their families viewed the girls’ photos and expressed concern for their well-being.
Foster Sheep Farm
by Katie Navarra
“Baa, Baa Black Sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, sir, yes sir, three bags full…”
For Tom and Carole Foster, owners of Foster Sheep Farm, in Schuylerville, NY collected “3 Bags Full” of donations to help offset the cost of permanently preserving the family farm. The fundraiser, held in conjunction with Saratoga PLAN, raised $34,000 in donations. Continue reading
In Memoriam: Janice Streed Handy, long time Country Folks Editor
Janice Handy, former editor of Country Folks Farm Weekly newspapers, passed away on Saturday April 13, 2013 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.
Back in 1972, Mrs. Handy, began working for Lee Publications as editor of Country Folks, a weekly farm newspaper, to help her family’s business with needed income when prices paid to dairy farmers bottomed out. Continue reading
Using technology to improve cow quality
by Sally Colby
When Roland and Noella Hemond purchased a 150-acre dairy farm in 1945 in Minot, Maine, they milked 25 cows. Today, the R.E. Hemond Farm is home to 600 registered Holsteins and the family farms 800 acres. Family members play an active role in the daily operation of the farm: Noella is president and owner of the farm. Her daughter Lucille handles office work and their son Richard is the co-vice president. Richard’s son Rob is the herdsman, and Ann’s daughter Laurie handles animal records. Tom Cote, a long-time employee at the farm, manages the field work.
