Franklin, CT

Cushman has been a family farm since 1936. This multi-generational farm partnership is currently operated by Nate Cushman and the Smiths: Donald; Dave; Jim; Brandon; and Ethan with help from other family members. It is a large farm with 3,120 acres of cropland and over 2,000 acres of preserved farmland to feed their herd of 1,750 milking cows. Three daily milkings produce 14,000 gallons of milk per day by their Holstein herd. A manure digester scheduled for completion in 2023 will convert farm waste into renewable natural gas (RNG). Cushman Farms has received the Green Pastures award.

Woodstock, CT

Fairvue Farms was founded by Paul and Diane Miller next to the historic Woodstock Fairgrounds in 1961. They grow about 1,600 acres of corn and 1,000 acres of grass for silage on owned and rented land to feed their Holstein herd of 1,500 milking cows. Each day the cows give 14,000 gallons of milk from three milking times per day. They are working with other farmers to better herd quality by having embryos from other farms implanted in their nursery cows. The Millers are members of Connecticut Farm Bureau and have received the New England Green Pastures Award.

Thompson, CT

Fort Hill Farms, managed by Jim Orr, Kristin Orr, and Kies and Jared LaVack, was founded April 1, 1943 by Kristin’s parents, Ernest and Norma O’Leary. The farm encompasses 600 acres, some of which is protected by the CT Farmland Preservation Program. They are also known for their annual corn maze, pumpkin picking, and lavender production. A mixed herd of 210 Holstein, some Jersey and Guernsey cows are milked two times a day at 12am and 12pm. Fort Hill installed an anaerobic digester to manage manure storage and provide electricity for the farm. Kies and Jared have won the Outstanding Young Farmers Award for CT.

Lebanon, CT

Graywall Farms is operated by the Chesmer family. They started business in 1989 with 185 acres of leased land and just 80 cows. It has grown to 900 acres of owned land, with 725 acres protected by Connecticut’s Farmland preservation program. The herd of mostly Holstein cows with a few Brown Swiss and Jersey cross breeds, are milked in shifts four times day. Graywall has been named Connecticut Dairy Farm of the Year for the New England Green Pasture Program.

Coventry, CT

Peracchio family founded Hytone farm in the rolling hills of Coventry in 1944. 1,000 acres of managed crop lands supports 600 Holstein cows that produce 3,300 pounds milk with two milking times per day.

Hytone Farm has received the Agrimark Quality Award for high quality milk for the last 10+ years, the New England Green Pastures award for innovation and excellence in conservation, and Connecticut’s Dairy Farm of Distinction Award. Hytone has installed a 1/2 megawatt anaerobic manure digester to provide electricity to the community.

Hebron, CT

Mapleaf Farm was founded by the Ellis family back in 1903. They are proud to be good stewards, with 450 acres of managed land, 400 acres of which is preserved through CT Farmland Preservation program. Solar panels have been installed to provide power for the farm. The milking herd of 280 Holstein and Jersey cows produces 2,280 gallons of milk a day in two milking times. Mapleleaf is Dairy Farm of Distinction and has been awarded the Century Farm Award. Ned Ellis has received the Outstanding Farmer Award.