A Stowe farm is Vermont’s 2015 Dairy Farm of the Year.
The University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Dairy Industry Association — in cooperation with the New England Green Pastures Program — present the award each year to an outstanding dairy operation.
This year’s winners are Les and Claire Pike who operate a 141-head Jersey farm with their two children.
UVM Extension announced Wednesday that the Pikes were picked for their well-managed herd, high-quality milk and overall excellence in dairying as well as their continued interest in new technology to improve efficiency and profits.
The Pikes installed a methane digester in 2010 to convert cow waste to electricity and bedding. They also have installed a multi-box robotic milking system.