Vermont

Vermont Dairy Farm | Photographs of Farm Life

Peter Miller turns his lens on dairy farmer Melvin Churchill as he struggles to keep his family farm in Cabot, Vermont afloat.

By Peter Miller|Oct 15 2012| Print icon

A black and white image of cows grazing in a grassy field with a cluster of farm buildings and a pond in the background.

Dairy cows graze on Churchill's farm. Melvin keeps a herd of 75 cows, mostly Holsteins; 42 of them currently provide milk for the organic market, a more stable hedge against frequent fluctuations in conventional milk prices

Photo Credit: Peter Miller
Photographer Peter Miller has spent a lifetime capturing Vermont and her people. In this slide show, he turns his lens on dairy farmer Melvin Churchill as he struggles to keep his family farm in Cabot, Vermont afloat in these turbulent financial times. See more of Peter Miller’s work — including his books Vermont People and Vermont Farm Women — at www.petermillerphotography.com. Read the Story: Vermont Dairy Farmers Cling to Land
Dairy farmer Melvin Churchill seen here haying a section of his 110 acres in Cabot, Vermont. For many farmers facing economic uncertainty, the pressure to sell becomes insurmountable
Dairy farmer Melvin Churchill seen here haying a section of his 110 acres in Cabot, Vermont. For many farmers facing economic uncertainty, the pressure to sell becomes insurmountable
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Dairy cows graze on Churchill's farm. Melvin keeps a herd of 75 cows, mostly Holsteins; 42 of them currently provide milk for the organic market, a more stable hedge against frequent fluctuations in conventional milk prices
Dairy cows graze on Churchill’s farm. Melvin keeps a herd of 75 cows, mostly Holsteins; 42 of them currently provide milk for the organic market, a more stable hedge against frequent fluctuations in conventional milk prices
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Melvin Churchill with his partner Janet Whitlock and his son Matt, who is working the farm with his father
Melvin Churchill with his partner Janet Whitlock and his son Matt, who is working the farm with his father
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Keeping the farm afloat is a constant struggle
Keeping the farm afloat is a constant struggle
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Melvin's son Matt is working with his father to keep the family's farming tradition alive
Melvin’s son Matt is working with his father to keep the family’s farming tradition alive
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Melvin working his land to put up hay for the winter. The work of a dairy farmer is constant
Melvin working his land to put up hay for the winter. The work of a dairy farmer is constant
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Melvin with his grandson, Zach, on the farm
Melvin with his grandson, Zach, on the farm
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Zach runs to keep up with his grandfather
Zach runs to keep up with his grandfather
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Grandson Zach takes a break in the hayfield
Grandson Zach takes a break in the hayfield
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
A freshly rolled bale of hay ready to be wrapped and stored for the winter
A freshly rolled bale of hay ready to be wrapped and stored for the winter
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Stacks of freshly wrapped hay
Stacks of freshly wrapped hay
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
The workday often begins at 5:00 a.m. and doesn't end until late in the evening
The workday often begins at 5:00 a.m. and doesn’t end until late in the evening
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
Melvin is shown holding a cherished photo of his Uncle Willis plowing the land. There is a deep ancestral tie to the land through many generations in his family
Melvin is shown holding a cherished photo of his Uncle Willis plowing the land. There is a deep ancestral tie to the land through many generations in his family
Photo Credit : Peter Miller
The timeless-and often uncontrollable-pressures of weather and market weigh heavily on Melvin's shoulders. He acknowledges that he doesn't know what the future will bring
The timeless-and often uncontrollable-pressures of weather and market weigh heavily on Melvin’s shoulders. He acknowledges that he doesn’t know what the future will bring
Photo Credit : Peter Miller

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  2. Im looking for a family whose mother’s book I read 40 years ago. Her husband died, leaving her with children, one of whom was mentally challenged. She moved to a farm in Vermont and married a carpenter/farmer who helped her as she got settled. Her boy ended up needing custodial care. Can’t remember her name, the title or the town she moved to. Any help would be appreciated; I’d love to re-read this story!!

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