Shady Lane Farm
Food Production Meat / Eggs / Dairy Dairy
Family, history and agriculture are top priorities for the Lanes of New Vineyard. A trip around Shady Lane Farm makes that crystal clear - the barn built specifically for the grandchildren's 4-H show animals, the pride in Martin Lane's voice as he talks of their success in the show ring, the small farm museum the family is putting together, their continuation of Maine traditions like producing maple syrup, even their loyalty to the Jersey and Milking Shorthorn breeds for their dairy operation.
Martin and his twin brother Michael were just 15 when they took over their parents' dairy farm because of their father's health. "I was 15 when I got my first milk check," Martin said. The family moved the farm from Farmington to New Vineyard 38 years ago. The new place had
The land on Shady Lane Farm was cleared with oxen.
1.5 farmable acres. They cleared the land with oxen, and Martin worked for a local construction company and would bring home large equipment on the weekends to clear stumps and excavate. They now have about 35 cleared acres that they farm. The dairy herd is mostly Jersey with nine Milking Shorthorns and some crosses. The families of both Martin's parents had Jerseys, and his wife Becky's family had the Shorthorns. When they got married, they brought the two breeds together. The entire herd descends from just seven original cows. They show cattle and have had success all over the country, showing in New England, Louisville, Harrisburg and even Canada. They are an Organic Valley farm, and have been awarded multiple times for their milk qualities, being selected from among 5,000 farms across the country.
The milking herd is composed of Jerseys and Milking Shorthorns.
Heifers and dry cows.
Becky does most of the milking of their 31 organic dairy cows, and Martin helps when he's home. They also have a part-time hired man.
Martin and his twin brother Michael were just 15 when they took over their parents' dairy farm because of their father's health. "I was 15 when I got my first milk check," Martin said. The family moved the farm from Farmington to New Vineyard 38 years ago. The new place had
The land on Shady Lane Farm was cleared with oxen.
1.5 farmable acres. They cleared the land with oxen, and Martin worked for a local construction company and would bring home large equipment on the weekends to clear stumps and excavate. They now have about 35 cleared acres that they farm. The dairy herd is mostly Jersey with nine Milking Shorthorns and some crosses. The families of both Martin's parents had Jerseys, and his wife Becky's family had the Shorthorns. When they got married, they brought the two breeds together. The entire herd descends from just seven original cows. They show cattle and have had success all over the country, showing in New England, Louisville, Harrisburg and even Canada. They are an Organic Valley farm, and have been awarded multiple times for their milk qualities, being selected from among 5,000 farms across the country.
The milking herd is composed of Jerseys and Milking Shorthorns.
Heifers and dry cows.
Becky does most of the milking of their 31 organic dairy cows, and Martin helps when he's home. They also have a part-time hired man.
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