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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM ANNOUNCES THAT COTTRELL HOMESTEAD IN WEST KINGSTON HAS BEEN NAMED RHODE ISLAND'S 2004 OUTSTANDING DAIRY FARM OF THE YEAR PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that the Cottrell Homestead in West Kingston has been named Rhode Island's 2004 Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year by the Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee. Winning dairy farmers from each New England state will be honored at an awards banquet on September 17 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.The Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee chose the Cottrell Homestead because of its outstanding relationship with the community, its active involvement with the future viability of dairy farming in Rhode Island, and its continuing efforts to implement best management practices. Currently, several hundred thousand dollars worth of improvements to manure management and water quality are being constructed, with funding from the US Department of Agriculture and DEM. Five generations of Cottrells have farmed the property. The Cottrell Homestead, currently owned and operated by Oliver and June Cottrell, had its start in 1900, when Oliver Cottrell's grandfather bought and farmed the property. The property was subsequently farmed by Oliver Cottrell's father. Currently, Oliver and June Cottrell's children and grandchildren are actively involved with the farm. The Cottrells were among the first farmers in Rhode Island to protect their farmland in perpetuity through the sale of development rights to the state in 1986. The Cottrells maintain a herd of over 70 Ayrshires and Holsteins. Corn and hay silage is raised on the farm to feed the herd during the winter months. The Cottrells also raise turkeys and maintain a roadside stand for the sale of sweet corn and other vegetables. The Cottrells are involved in maintaining the future of dairy farming in Rhode Island beyond their own farm boundaries. As active members of the Rhode Island Dairy Farms Cooperative, they work with other dairy farms in their state to market their own milk under the "Rhody Fresh" label. The Rhody Fresh milk project is important to the viability of dairy farming in Rhode Island, and has received grant funds from DEM and the Rhode Island Foundation, and an operating loan from the RI Economic Development Corporation. Milk sales remain strong and well beyond the expectations of the dairy farmers themselves, evidence of public interest and support toward maintaining agriculture in Rhode Island. The 153-acre Cottrell Homestead participated this past summer in the National Ayrshire Convention, hosted in Rhode Island, and sponsored a tour of the farm for convention participants. During that convention, Oliver Cottrell received the "Master Breeder Award" for his long time achievement in the breeding of Ayrshire cattle. The Outstanding Dairy Farm of the Year award is sponsored by the New England Green Pastures Committee, made up of agricultural interests such as state and federal agricultural offices and farm organizations. Membership in Rhode Island's Green Pastures Committee is coordinated by DEM's Division of Agriculture. Other members include the Rhode Island delegation of the Northeast Dairy Compact Commission, the RI Farm Bureau, the RI Farm Service Agency and the Agri-Mark Cooperative. Recent winners of the long-standing award include Escobars' Highland Farm in Portsmouth in 200I, Meadowburg Farm in Richmond in 2002 and the Dutra Farm in Jamestown in 2003. -30- |
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