PORTSMOUTH – Escobar Farm on Aquidneck Island has been named Rhode Island’s 2017 Outstanding Dairy Farm by the Rhode Island Green Pastures Committee, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management announced Monday.
The farm is owned by Louie and Jane Escobar.
“As one of Rhode Island’s finest dairy farms, Escobar Farm is most deserving of this recognition,” said Ken Ayars, DEM chief of agriculture. “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 by consumers to know their farmers and benefit from quality, local products. Dairy farming, however, has experienced a decline in recent years in Rhode Island – as elsewhere nationally. This awards program shines an important light on the value of dairy farming to our state.”
Escobar farms is a member of the Rhode Island Dairy Farms Cooperative and the Agri-Mark Cooperative. The farm was started in 1937 by Louie Escobar’s father.
The Escobars also operate a corn maze on their farm, as well as an artificial insemination company that serves dairy farms in Rhode Island’s East Bay.
The farm’s 95 cows provide milk for Rhody Fresh Milk and Cabot dairy products.
Winning dairy farms from each New England state will be honored Sept. 15 at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Mass.
