Vermont Business Magazine Vermont dairy farmers were recognized for producing high quality cow and goat milk at the Dairy Farmers’ Appreciation Banquet on January 28th during the 82nd Vermont Farm Show. The 2015 overall highest-quality (cow) milk award was presented to Allan and Karen Bathalon of North Troy. The 2015 overall highest-quality goat milk award was awarded to Frank and Karen Huard, Craftsbury. The Dairy Farmers’ Appreciation Banquet has been hosted by the Vermont Dairy Industry Association (VDIA) for many years in cooperation with the Vermont Farm Show and Vermont Agency of Agriculture.
“This annual celebration honoring farmers brings together those in the dairy industry and others supporting it,” said Bebe Zabilansky, VDIA President. “Dairy farmers, government officials, students, legislators, and educators come together in support of the dairy industry. Bringing these groups together is a central mission of the Vermont Dairy Industry Association,” says Zabilansky.”
Based on nomination criteria rolled out last year for the quality awards; 93 cow milk quality nominees and 10 goat milk quality nominees qualified for the 2015 competition. Quality parameters such as bacterial and somatic cell counts as well as farm inspection scores are factored into identifying the winners. "The achievement of all the nominees throughout the past year are worthy of recognition" according to previous VDIA Board member and Agri-Mark, Inc. employee Brady Metcalf.
The 2015 Dairy Farm of the Year, Keewaydin Farm operated by Les, Claire, Suzi and Dan Pike in Stowe were recognized with a hand-painted sign. The Finley award was presented to Dr. Julie Smith of the University of Vermont. This award recognizes that person whose character, dedication to Vermont agriculture and education, and accomplishments most closely resemble those goals, ideals and achievements that were so important to John Finley, former Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture.this award recognizes that person whose character, dedication to Vermont agriculture and education, and accomplishments most closely resemble those goals, ideals and achievements that were so important to John Finley, former Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture.
The Vermont Dairy Industry Association works for the mutual benefit of its members, dairy farm families, and the dairy industry; and encourages and promotes close cooperation with educational institutions and other agencies concerned with the dairy industry. For more details on the Vermont Farm Show, visit www.vtfarmshow.com/
A complete list of nominees and overall winners and runners-up follows.
2015 Quality Cow Milk Nominees
Gervais Family Farm, Enosburg Falls
Real and Marie Claire Laroche, Highgate Center
Peter Rainville, Fairfax
Andrew Godin, Franklin
Laurent and Deborah Bourdeau, Swanton
Magnan Bros. Maquam Shore Dairy LLC, Fairfield
Adrian and Marie Rainville, Franklin
Brendan Schreindorfer, Enosburg Falls
Copper Hill Farm LLC – Magnan, Fairfax
Teresa and Michael Menard, Fairfield
B and T Black Creek Farms Ltd., Enosburg Falls
Robert P. Parent and Son LLC, Sheldon
Lawrence R. and Brenda Rainville, Highgate Center
David and Davy Dragon, Franklin
Riverview Farm, Franklin
Islandacres LLC, South Hero
Timstead Farm Inc., South Hero
Gervais Family Farm LLC No.2, Enosburg Falls
Michael Gervais D/B/A BPD LLC, Enosburg Falls,
Robert Adams, Williston
George and Debra Stebbins, Enosburg Falls
Warren Rankin, Johnson
Gregory Beaudoin, Jeffersonville
Stephen Maccausland and Julie Wolcott, Enosburg Falls
Stebbinshire Farms Inc., Enosburg Falls
Aires Hill Farm Inc., Enosburg Falls
Ridgeview Farm Inc., Fairfield
Debora Wickart, Morrisville
David and Elaine Callan, Fairfield
Dubois Farm Inc., Vergennes
Dale and Alma Briggs, Addison
B. Danyow Farm LLC, Ferrisburg
Michael and Lawrence Quesnel, Whiting
David and Melanie Carmichael, Vergennes
Keith Day, Lyndonville
Lyle and Kitty Edwards, Westfield
Willard and Theodore Taft, Island Pond
Jordan K. Gray, Island Pond
Leslie and Donna Hammond, Newport Center
Merle Jr. and Vickie Young, West Glover
Paul and Kristine Stecker, Cabot
Leonard and Joanne Hammond, Newport Center
Brett and Marjorie Urie, Craftsbury Common
Alain and Laurie Leblanc, Lowell
Debra and Andrew Hogan, Whiting
Benjamin Williams, Fairfield
John S. Andrew, Newport
Allan and Karen Bathalon, North Troy
Walter Morse Jr. and Joseph Mahr, Wells River
James and Kristie Callan, Fairfield
Jonathan and Rachel Leblanc, East Hardwick
Jacques and Roberta Royer, North Troy
Sunderland Farm Inc., Bridport
Degraaf Dairy, Richmond
Allandra Farm Inc., Vergennes
North Hardwick Dairy LLC, Hardwick
Ben Moulton and Amanda Taylor, North Troy
Lanphear LLC , Kirk and Katrina, Hyde Park
Mellish,Ramsay and Caroline, Newport Center
Fieldstone Organic Farm, Cabot
Rivers,Jamie and Laura , Newport
John And Margie Barabe, Enosburg Falls
Chaput Family Farm, North Troy
Andrew and Lisa Sherman, East Dover
Tyler Clark, Bennington
Cedar Mountain Farm , Hartland
Dolloff Acres, Springfield
David and Tina Houde, St. Johnsbury
Steve and Carla Russo, Brunswick
Essex Farm LLC, Vergennes
Jeffery and Olive Philips, Bristol
Hatch Farm Inc., Vergennes
Clifford Farm, Starksboro
Orr Family Farm, Orwell
Allendale Farm LP, Panton
David and Darleen Tremblay, Highgate
Fitzgerald Farm, Colchester
Fournier and Son, Swanton
Bittersweet Farm, St. Albans
Lucas Dairy, Starksboro
Woodlawn Holsteins, Pawlet
Corse Farm Dairy, Whitingham
Richardson Farm, Woodstock
Andersonville Farm LLC, West Glover
Chad and Heather Trudeau, Hardwick
Scott and Laurie Langmaid, Danville
Craig and Stephanie Mason, Albany
Sweet Rowen Farmstead LLC, West Glover
Andrew and Sarah Birch, Derby
Towerhill Farm, Bristol
Riverside Farm, Richmond
Dirk, Jay and Carole Smits, Vergennes
2015 Quality Goat Milk Nominees
Oak Knoll Dairy Farm, Windsor
Long Field Farm, Cabot
Roger and Martha Wales, Weybridge
Richard and Linda Smith, Westfield
John Reynolds, Swanton
Roland and Joan Therrien, Newport
Lee and Theresa Lawyer, Enosburg Falls
Bear Mountain Diversified Farm, North Troy
Keith and Cindy Tifft, Orwell
Ayers Brook Goat Dairy, Randolph
Huard Family Farm, Craftsbury Common
Vermont’s Highest Quality Cow Milk Awards
2015 Overall Best Quality: Allan and Karen Bathalon, North Troy
1st runner up: Dale and Alma Briggs, Addison
2nd runner up: Richard and Curt Estey, Bristol
Vermont’s Highest Quality Goat Milk Awards
2015 Overall Best Quality: Frank and Karen Huard, Craftsbury Common
1st runner up: Oak Knoll Dairy Farm, George Redick and Karen Lindbo, Windsor
2nd runner up: Roland and Joan Therrien, Newport