MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) announced 32 recipients of the organization’s 2018 Horse Farm of Distinction award during its annual meeting last week in Framingham, Massachusetts. This award was developed more than 20 years ago by MFBF’s equine committee to recognize Massachusetts horse farms that achieve a level of excellence in overall horse health, farm management and compliance with public safety.
“We were pleased to see such a strong line-up of equine facilities receive this award,” said John Dougherty, who chairs MFBF’s equine committee. “These operations enhance the positive image of the Massachusetts horse industry and I was proud they were presented with the 2018 Horse of Distinction honor.”
Award winners included:
- Back Bay Farm, Inc., Robin D. Petersen, Ipswich
- Berryfield Farm, Roberta Berry, Lincoln
- Blackhorse Farm, Alexander & Patricia Joe, Swansea
- Briggs Stable, LLP, John Dougherty, Hanover
- Bristol County Agricultural High School, Dighton
- Creek Crossing Farm, Alyssa Trifone, Hingham
- Chipaway Stables, Inc., David Costa, Acushnet
- Greene Acres Equestrian Center, Amanda L. Hodgen, Belchertown
- Harmony Horse Stables, LLC, Kathryn Cecere, Littleton
- High Tail Acres, LLC, Dawn DelTorchio, Newbury
- Holly Hill Farm, Nancy Venezia, Marstons Mills
- Holly Hill West Inc., Nancy Venezia, Harvard
- Hunters Haven Farm, Tricia Fiore, Groveland
- Indian Rock Stables, Karen & Paige Benson, Saugus
- Lalobarun Ranch, Eileen C. M. Cashman & John W. Kellar, Newbury
- Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program, Debby Sabin, Lincoln
- Lucky Buck Stables, Arthur Blais, East Freetown
- Pompositticut Farm Inc., Jackie Kane, Hudson
- Silvercryst Farm, Paul A. & Ann Marie Gregoire, Southwick
- Smithfield Farm, Janice S. Foster, East Falmouth
- Sterling Riding Stables, Dawn Frazer, Pepperell
- Teaberry Farm, Kathy Jacques, Taunton
- The Barnyard Maples, Gale & Kevin H. Meserve, Byfield
- The Ponderaia, Laine Raia, North Reading
- True North Farm LLC, Kathryn Slater, Harwich
- Undermountain Farm, Tjasa Sprague, Lenox
- Ventura Stables, Caroline Ventura, North Dighton
- Walking High Farm, Becky & Harry Kalagher, Douglas
- Whit Acres Farm, Kristen Whittaker, Norwell
- Wildstar Farm LLC, Polly Kornblith & Michael Newman, Sherborn
- Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, Inc., Josselyn Shaughnessy, N. Andover
- Yankee Stables, Edwin S. Little, Sharon
“I would like to congratulate all the winners of this award,” said MFBF President Ed Davidian, who farms in Northborough. “I hope that these 32 equine operations find this distinction valuable to their horse farms and continue to strive for excellence in the future.”
The farms were judged upon the following criteria: horse health management, including appearance of the horses and the equine health program; farm management, including overall condition of the farm and facilities, condition of stalls, turnouts, pastures, riding surfaces, tack and equipment; and public standards compliance. Those that scored 85 percent or higher were considered a “Horse Farm of Distinction” and received the award.
Applications for the 2019 Horse Farm of Distinction program are now being accepted with judging expected to take place June through August of next year. Evaluations are completed by qualified equine professionals.
Only regular members of Farm Bureau may apply for this honor. To become a member, please visit www.mfbf.net.
–Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
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