September 15, 2016 By Kiley Putnam
Must be the Milk
Every year, one farm in each of our New England states wins the prestigious Green Pastures Award. The winning dairy farms are recognized and selected for their production records; herd, pasture, and crop management; environmental practices; contributions to agriculture and the local community; and overall excellence in dairying.
Was there ever any question Steven Barstow II would end up a dairy farmer?
Located on a scenic stretch of Route 47 in Hadley, MA, Barstow’s Longview Farm has been in operation since 1806, so the odds were slim to none that Steven would be a doctor, lawyer or car mechanic. Steven has been working alongside his father, Steven Barstow, and Uncle David Barstow, who are 6th-generation dairymen, since he was a small boy. Now in his 30s, Steven II is a full partner along with his father and uncle, helping manage the farm that employs three full-time employees, a staff the Barstows say make the success of their business possible.
Barstow’s Longview Farm, wedged between the Connecticut River and Skinner State Park, has been named this year’s winner of the Green Pasture Award, and as Massachusetts’ Dairy Farm of the Year, Steven is proud the farm has been singled out for the honor. “It’s great to have some positive exposure for New England dairy farmers, and when you shine a spotlight on farms like ours, well, it benefits everyone in the dairy business.”