2002 - Massachusetts Outstanding Dairy Farm
Richard Cooper
Cooper's Hilltop Farm
515 Henshaw Street
Rochdale, MA 01542

Richard Cooper was selected for this award for his outstanding contributions to the dairy industry in Massachusetts. He together with his sister Marjorie and two brothers, James and David, operate the Hilltop Farm and Farm Store. The farm was acquired by the Cooper Family in 1918 and currently milks 54 cows on approximately 145 acres of land. Almost all the milk is marketed through the farm’s retail store.

Situated in the hills of Worcester County the farm is well managed and has in place many conservation practices to protect the environment. The cropping system includes approximately  40 acres of corn, 105 acres of hay and pasture. Crops are grown in rotations in  alternating strips with hay fields and pastures, and cover cropping for erosion control is practiced on all corn fields.  Wooded buffers run along the edge of fields bordering streams and wetlands. The farm participates in nutrient management planning and Richard is part of a farmer research group examining the usefulness of a new soil test for nitrogen.

Richard is President of the Central Massachusetts Dairy Producers Association and a member of the University of Massachusetts Extension Crops, Dairy, Livestock Advisory Committee. Through these associations he has demonstrated leadership and has contributed much to the dairy industry.

Visiting the farm one quickly sees evidence of the respect held for this farm. A thriving retail business, supported by the community, has on-site processing of milk and other products of several descriptions and flavors. The labor is divided so that Richard and a helper take care of field operations and milking, Marjorie keeps the financial records and manages the store, James operates the processing facility, and David is in charge of farm maintenance.