Ferris Farm's Milk Is
As Good As It Gets
By Bob Eddy

Randy Ferris and his daughter Hannah received highest honors in pasteurized milk at the Farm Show last Thursday. (Herald / Bob Eddy)

When it comes to great milk, you can find it at the North Randolph Farm of Randy and Amy Ferris. That was the verdict of the Vermont Dairy Industry Association, at the annual Vermont Farm Show dairy luncheon last Thursday.

Winning Vermont’s highest milk quality award for "Best Pastuerized Count," the Ferrises tied with Robin’s Nest Farm in St. Johnsbury.

"We’re honored to be right up there with Robin’s Nest," said Randy Ferris this week, adding, "they’re right at the top every year."

Both farms had perfect scores (within the tested limits). Both farms, too, are AgriMark members of the Cabot Creamery Cooperative.

Randy Ferris’s grandparents, Donald and Vernie Ferris, began dairying on the North Randolph farm in 1917. His folks, Oscar and Marilyn (who still live on the farm), continued the tradition in the 1960s. Now, Randy and Amy are continuing a nearly century-long tradition with their three young girls, Caleen, Hannah, and Julia, and another child expected this year. The 150-acre farm supports a milking herd of 40 grade and registered Holsteins.

Farming is clearly a family tradition. Randy is cousin to farmer Fay Ferris of Braintree. Fay’s son, Mike, is also a Braintree dairyman, and Mike’s wife, Amy, descends from two prominent dairy families, the Churchills of Brookfield and LaBountys of Randolph.

The Ferris family is dairy rich on mom’s side as well. Amy is a Pease from Tunbridge. Her folks, John and Shirley, still live at the family farm on Potash Hill. Her brothers, Jon (married to Prudence), and Cliff (married to Ingrid), have continued to farm there.

One sister, Miriam, married Jerry Kill and farms with him and their family at New Beginning Farm on Fish Hill in Randolph. Finally, Amy’s sister Una and her husband Joe Morrissette have a farm in the Brandon area.

Of his family’s farming tradition and this year’s Vermont DHIA milk quality award, Randy Ferris says, simply, "We put food on the table; ours and many others. We take that trust very seriously."