Dairy farming is not seasonal. As farmers, we are responsible for the land we farm, our equipment and barn maintenance, and most importantly, our herd of 550 LIVES. Our dairy cows, young stock, and beef steers are our top priority, our co-workers, our livelihood, and our family. There isn’t a day that they go un-cared … Read more
Congratulations to Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) on 25 years of building local resilience by strengthening connections between local farms and community. Barstow’s Longview Farm and Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery are proud to be two of CISA’s 426 Local Heroes! CISA has continued to be an advocate for local farms and businesses like … Read more
Today, February 11, is National Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day. Most would consider this as a day to stay positive, to look on the bright side, and to not let the little things get you down! However, for New England dairy farmers, their outlook isn’t so sunny. Amid appallingly low milk prices, we opened … Read more
Over many generations, dairy cows have been specifically bred to produce a high volume of nutritious, high quality, milk! Quality feed, green grass, and fresh air go in – milk comes out, and a lot of it! And we think that is pretty incredible! Cows can only produce milk after they’ve given birth to a calf. … Read more
Believe it or not, our girls are loving this weather more than the summer time heat! Thanks to their thick skin, hair and natural insulation, cows actually prefer temperatures between 40 and 65 degrees. So long as the cows are well fed, healthy, and have dry bedding, they don’t mind the cold. That said, it’s … Read more
In honor of Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery’s 10 Year Anniversary, celebrate with us all of 2018 on the 10th of every month! We’ve put together a series of mini events and giveaways throughout the year to thank our customers, regulars, supporters, friends, and family! Some of these events are still in their planning stages. … Read more
We put a lot of value on farming here in the Pioneer Valley, it’s a part of our heritage. Eating local protects open spaces, keeps dollars in the Valley, uses less fossil fuel, and supports your neighbors who have been here for generations, the farmers. Lots of farm stands remain open throughout the winter but … Read more
Here at Barstow’s Longview Farm everybody has a personality so everybody has a name. Calves born around the same time have names that begin with the same letter. These calves were born in the second half of November. Congratulations to our Name the Calf Contest winners! Vierna by Kathy Rivet Vanessa by April Schilling Velvet by … Read more
Yesterday was our first snow of the season! Big flakes filled the window and blanketed the fields outside. Barstow’s Dairy Store and Bakery closed at 1pm early for the weather. But life on the farm was business as usual. There’s no coming home early. The farmers make sure all of the dry cows on pasture … Read more
Happy Thanksgiving! 2017 brought a lot to be thankful for! Like a good crop year and a drought free summer. We are thankful for our healthy and productive herd of 557. We are thankful for the new anaerobic digester engine, bringing more green energy to the grid and soon more recycled heat to our homes … Read more