EMMA Acres Named RI Dairy Farm of the Year
GoLocalProv News Team
EMMA Acres Named RI Dairy Farm of the Year
"This awards program shines an important light on the value of dairy farming to our state, and I applaud EMMA Acres and the Green Pastures Committee for their commitment to the viability of this important local industry,” said DEM Agriculture Chief Ken Ayars.
“EMMA Acres is one of Rhode Island's finest dairy farms, and it is most deserving of this recognition. Our state has a rich agricultural heritage, and increasingly, local food and agriculture are hotbeds for innovation and growth – spurred on by a growing demand among consumers to know their farmers and benefit from quality, local products,” added Ayars.
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The dairy farm, owned by Rhode Island natives Cynthia and Scooter LaPrise, was selected for this year's award given the owners' commitment to farming best practices, community ties, and involvement in dairy farming advocacy and growth. The farm is a member of the Rhode Island Dairy Farms Cooperative and the Agri-Mark Cooperative. Milk from its 26 cows is used in Rhody Fresh Milk and Cabot dairy products. In October of 2019, the family opened their own farm stand. They sell the entire Cabot Cheese Line, Rhody Fresh Milk, pork, beef and veal raised right on their farm and many other local products from neighboring farms
According to the announcement, Cynthia and Scooter LaPrise, who have deep farming roots, purchased the property in 1990, naming it after their four children: Elizabeth, Matthew, Maggie, and Alexandra. Creation of the dairy farm was inspired by the children's 4-H project in 2002 – when the family's first Jersey calves were acquired. Cynthia grew up at Bailey Farm in East Greenwich and was involved in 4-H. Scooter was a member and former state president of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Association. The children are also active in the farming community: Elizabeth, 29, is a former FFA state president; Matthew, 27, works in the wood and logging industry; Alexandra, 26, a former state vice president of the FFA; and Maggie, 21, is the chairperson for the RI Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals. She also assists in running the day to day operations of both the farm and the stand.
The Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year award is sponsored by the New England Green Pastures Committee, made up of government and industry members. Membership in Rhode Island's Green Pastures Committee is coordinated by the Rhode Island Agricultural Council and the DEM Division of Agriculture. Winning dairy farmers from each New England state will be honored during a virtual awards ceremony on September 18.