Vermont Barn CensusChittenden County Student Research Project - 2010 |
An Agricultural History of Milton |
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While many written histories of Milton emphasize the heroic deeds of the lumbermen who built up an impressive logging industry, the lives of a majority of the residents throughout the town's history remain unsung. Farming also saw its successes and failures, from the nineteenth century “sheep boom” to the rise of dairying in the following century, to the decline of large scale farming and the evolution of “niche market” farming in the face of encroaching suburban development. The history of agriculture in Milton covers over two hundred years of farm families who have worked this rugged terrain and continue to dedicate themselves to maintaining this bond with the land despite the changing face of the landscape.
While most of the soil is adequate for cultivation, the lack of natural lime and high concentration of sand and gravel discourage the growth of grass, clover and alfalfa. Despite a uniform level of precipitation, the growing season varies from 160 days along the shore of Lake Champlain to 140 days on the eastern edges of the town.(2) Milton exhibits the typical climate of northern New England characterized by cool summers and cold winters.(3) As evidenced by nineteenth century agricultural censuses, the rough terrain, inconsistent soil and relatively cool climate did not deter Milton farmers from growing wheat, oats, rye, buckwheat, Indian corn, barley, and potatoes, mostly for home or local use.(4) However, the most successful and enduring farms invested in raising livestock.
The number of dairy cows nearly tripled in this period while the number of sheep and hogs became negligible.(21) In comparison, while Milton's milk cow population increased by 234% from 1850 to 1935, the county's cow population showed only a 15% increase from 1880 to 1935 (fig. 5).(22)
These statistics portray a farming economy that had transitioned almost totally to dairy farming; transferring their resources to milk cows and crops specifically grown as fodder. Farmers who sold their milk individually to the butter and cheese factories realized the cost benefits of collaboration and joined with fellow farmers to form their own cooperative creamery in 1919.(23) The Central Vermont Railroad ran a daily milk freight train and a weekly butter train that transported dairy products to markets in Boston. Allen Beaupre, whose father worked on a farm in Milton Boro in early years of the twentieth century, recalled the peak years of dairy farming in Milton in the 1940s and 50s when, there were over 120 dairy farms in Milton and all the farmers belonged to the cooperative creamery.(24) During this time of plenty, the farmers of Milton did not forget to take care of the needy in their community and therefore the town officers organized and managed a “Poor Farm” that provided shelter, work and food for the poor families in the community. Members of the community, from the mid- nineteenth century to 1925, sold supplies and labored on this farm to facilitate its maintenance.(25)
In 1940, Mrs. Rowley shipped 4,000 turkeys throughout the east, reviving a reputation for turkeys Vermont once held during the mid-nineteenth century.(33) The early years of the twenty first century witnessed the demise of several of the long established dairy farms in the town. Many farmers still own most of their land and rent it out to neighbors as pasture land or continue to grow hay for silage.(34) Other farms tried to diversify their livestock, as did the Manley family farm that attempted beef farming from 1982-1985. However, in the face of economic decline they too had to sell their livestock. Faced with the pressures of encroaching industrial development, the Manley family sold some of their land to Husky Injection Molding, Inc. who had plans to develop the land into a welcome center but also curtailed plans due to financial restraints.(35) Some farms, despite this downward trend, have survived by specializing in organic produce such as blueberries, maple syrup, wheat, hay and certified organic pasture land and dairy.(36) Four dairy farms still attain Vermont's “Dairy of Distinction” award, which gives other recently retired farmers hope for a new generation of dairy farming in Milton.(37) In recent decades, Milton has become more suburban in character, slowly replacing farmland with housing developments and trailer parks (fig.7).
Though this evolution appears inevitable, the zoning and subdivision laws of Milton voice concern over the change in character of this land and seek to protect the agricultural character of the rural landscape while allowing for low density residential development.(38) Notes(1) David P. Stewart, Geology for Environmental Planning in the Milton-St. Albans Region, Vermont (Montpelier, VT: Vermont Geological Survey, Water Resources Dept., 1974), 13 (3) Dept. of the Army, New York District, Corps of Engineers. Flood Plain Information, Lamoille River, Colchester and Milton, Vermont Prepared for the Towns of Colchester and Milton and the Village of Milton (New York, New York,1976), 2. (4) 1860 and 1880 Vermont Agricultural Census Totals Charts. See Agricultural Census tab for scanned images from 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 Vermont Agricultural Censuses. U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1850; U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1860; U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1870; U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1880. (5) History of Chittenden County, Vermont with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Edited by W.S. Rann. (Syracuse, NY: Mason & Co. Publishers, 1886), 636-637. (6) From the archives of the Milton Historical Society as published in Jane FitzGerald, "Family Farms of Milton: The 2002 Milton Historical Society Calendar." edited by Milton Historical Society (Milton, VT: Milton Historical Society, 2002), 7. (8) Loren Sanderson, "The Mears Farm and Family." Historically Speaking: The Newsletter of the Milton Historical Society2003-2004, 3; Dale Sanderson, interview with author, October 4, 2010. (9) Barbara F. Hollenbeck, Milton's Story (Milton, VT: Milton Bicentennial Committee, 1976), 12; Howard S. Russell, A Long, Deep Furrow (Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 1976), 290, 352. (13) Thomas Visser, Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings (Hanover, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 1997), 163. (23) Lillian Baker Carlisle, (Milton text by Eleanor Wheeler Ballway and Mary P. Noble). Look around Colchester and Milton, Vermont. Vol. 9 Heritage Series Pamphlet, Edited by Lillian Baker Carlisle (Burlington, VT: Chittenden County Historical Society, 1975), 46. (25) Loren Sanderson, "The Town Poor Farm." Historically Speaking: The Newsletter of the Milton Historical Society. (2005-2006), 2. (28) Carlisle, 57; Charles Littlefield, interview with author, October 4, 2010; Dale Sanderson, interview with author, October 4, 2010. (30) Howard S. Russell, A Long, Deep Furrow (Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 1976), 305, 458. (31)See Agricultural Census tab for 1860 and 1880 Vermont Agricultural Census Totals Charts. U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1860; U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1880. (32) FitzGerald, 11; Portius C. Deming, "Recollections of Milton Falls in 1870 and 1880" (Minneapolis, MN, 1930). (34) Caffy Roberts, interview with author, October 4, 2010; Charles Littlefield, interview with author, October 4, 2010; Dale Sanderson, interview with author, October 4, 2010; James Manley, interview with the author, October 15, 2010; Linda Ballard, interview with author, October 4, 2010 (36) U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Vermont Organic Farmers, LLC (VOF).” Last modified June 22, 2009. Accessed October 4, 2010. http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5068186. (37) Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. “Congratulations! 2001 Dairy of Distinction Honorees.” Agriview. June 15, 2001, 8. http://www.vermontagriculture.com/Agriview/2001/agriv061501.pdf.; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. “171 Farms Receive 'Dairy of Distinction' Awards in 2003.” Agriview. August 1, 2003, 9-11.; Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. “Vermont's Dairy of Distinction Farms.” Last modified August 29, 2008. http://www.vermont.gov/portal/government/article.php?news=554; Dale Sanderson, interview with author, October 4, 2010. |
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BibliographyI. Interviews with Milton Farm FamiliesAllen Beaupre, interview with author, October 4, 2010. Caffy Roberts, interview with author, October 4, 2010. Charles Littlefield, interview with author, October 4, 2010. Dale Sanderson, interview with author, October 4, 2010. James Manley, interview with the author, October 15, 2010. James Ballard, interview with author, September 19, 2010. Linda Ballard, interview with author, October 4, 2010. Strickland, Ron. Vermonters: Oral Histories from Down Country to the Northeast Kingdom. Hanover, NH: Chronicle Books, 1998. Templeton, Allison Belisle. "Milton's History in Person: Jane Manley Fitzgerald." Historically Speaking: The Newsletter of the Milton Historical Society2007-2008, 3-6. Templeton, Allison Belisle. "Milton's History in Person: Loren Sanderson." Historically Speaking: The Newsletter of the Milton Historical Society. 2008-2009, 3-6. Templeton, Allison Belisle. "Milton's History in Person: Betty Bevins." Historically Speaking: The Newsletter of the Milton Historical Society. 2009-2010, 1-6. II. Personal MemoirsDeming, Portius C. "Recollections of Milton Falls in 1870 and 1880." Minneapolis, MN, 1930. Marcoux, Ruth. "Some Recollections of the Marcoux Farm." Milton, VT: Milton Historical Society, 1998. Beupre, Allen E. "Family Farms of Milton, 10 or More Cows Circa 1940-1955 as I Remember Them." Milton, VT: Milton Historical Society, 2003. III. Government DocumentsDavison, R. P. Agricultural Trends in Milton. Milton, VT: Chittenden County, 1939. Dept. of the Army, New York District, Corps of Engineers. Flood Plain Information, Lamoille River, Colchester and Milton, Vermont Prepared for the Towns of Colchester and Milton and the Village of Milton. New York, New York,1976. Environmental Working Group. “Subsidy Beneficiaries.” Farm Bill 2007 Policy Analysis Database: EWG Farm Subsidy Database. Accessed October 4, 2010. http://farm.ewg.org/sites/farmbill2007/s1614_addrsearch.php?yr=S1614&s=yup&stab=IA&city=&zip=05468&z=Search&last=&first=&fullname=. Officers for the Town of Milton, VT. Milton, Vt, Town Report for 1879-1880. Burlington, VT, 1880. Officers for the Town of Milton, VT. Annual Report of the Town Officers for the Town of Milton, Year Ending February 15th, 1888. Burlington, VT, 1888. Officers of the Town of Milton, VT. Annual Report of the Selectmen and Auditors of the Town of Milton for the Year Ending February 15, 1896. Burlington, VT, 1896. Officers of the Town of Milton, VT. Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milton, VT. For the Year Ending February 15th, 1897. St. Albans, VT, 1897. Officers of the Town of Milton, VT. Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milton, Vt. For the Year Ending February 15th 1898. Milton, VT, 1898. Officers of the Town of Milton, VT. Annual Report of the Selectmen and Other Officers of the Town of Milton, Vermont, for the Year Ending February 15th, 1899. Milton, VT, 1899. Officers of the Town of Milton. Annual Report of the Selectmen and Other Officers of the Town of Milton, Vermont for the Year Ending February 15th, 1901. Milton, VT, 1901. Town of Milton. Milton Planning Commission. Milton Subdivision Regulations. Milton, VT, 1980. Town of Milton. Dept. of Planning and Economic Development. Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the Town of Milton, VT. Milton, VT, 1987. Town of Milton, Dept. of Planning and Economic Development. Milton Zoning Regulations. Edited by Zoning Board of Milton. Milton, VT, 1994. U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1850. U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1860. U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1870. U.S. Bureau of the Census, Vermont Agricultural Census, 1880. U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Vermont Organic Farmers, LLC (VOF).” Last modified June 22, 2009. Accessed October 4, 2010. http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5068186. Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets. “171 Farms Receive 'Dairy of Distinction' Awards in 2003.” Agriview. August 1, 2003, 9-11. http://www.vermontagriculture.com/Agriview/2003/Agriview080103.pdf. Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. “Congratulations! 2001 Dairy of Distinction Honorees.” Agriview. June 15, 2001, 8. http://www.vermontagriculture.com/Agriview/2001/agriv061501.pdf. Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. “Vermont's Dairy of Distinction Farms.” Last modified August 29, 2008. http://www.vermont.gov/portal/government/article.php?news=554. IV. Scientific ReportsArchaeological Consulting Team, Inc. Discoveries at the Blue Heron Site: An Archaeological Study in Milton, Vermont. Essex Junction, VT, 1990. Frink, Douglas S. Hunting Ridge Development Project, Town of Milton, Chittenden County, Vermont, Phase 1 Reconnaissance Survey, Prepared for Nile Duppstadt. Milton, VT: Archaeology Consulting Team, Inc., 1990. LIA Consultants & Eagle Mountain Committee . Assessment, Recommendations, and Management Plan for the Eagle Mountain Natural Area. Milton, VT: LIA Consultants and Eagle Mountain Committee, 2000. Stewart, David P. Geology for Environmental Planning in the Milton-St. Albans Region, Vermont. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Geological Survey, Water Resources Dept., 1974. Vanecek, Diane M. and Rebecca J. Dorsey. Geologic and Radiometric Survey of the Sweeney Farm, Milton, Vermont. Montpelier, VT: Division of Geology and Eart Resources (Vermont Geological Survey), 1983. Williams, Sheldon W. A Farm Management Study of 91 Dairy Farms in the Vicinity of Milton, Vermont. Burlington, Vermont: Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Vermont and State Agricultural College, 1942. V. Secondary SourcesCarlisle, Lillian Baker (Milton text by Eleanor Wheeler Ballway and Mary P. Noble). Look around Colchester and Milton, Vermont. Vol. 9 Heritage Series Pamphlet, Edited by Lillian Baker Carlisle. Burlington, VT: Chittenden County Historical Society, 1975. Child, Hamilton. Gazetteer and Business Directory of Chittenden County, Vermont, for 1882-83. Syracuse, NY: Journal Office, 1882. Googlebooks edition. FitzGerald, Jane. "Family Farms of Milton: The 2002 Milton Historical Society Calendar." edited by Milton Historical Society. Milton, VT: Milton Historical Society, 2002. FitzGerald, Jane. "Hear Ye, Hear Ye... Celebrating 30 Years!" Historically Speaking: The Newsletter of the Milton Historical Society2008-2009, 1-5. Fitzgerald, Jane. "Milton as a Summer Resort Area." Milton, VT: Milton Historical Society. History of Chittenden County, Vermont with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of Its Prominent Men and Pioneers. Edited by W.S. Rann. Syracuse, NY: Mason & Co. Publishers, 1886. Hollenbeck, Barbara F. Milton's Story. Milton, VT: Milton Bicentennial Committee, 1976. Jackson, Kathryn. The Milton Story/ Milton, Vermont, 1763-1963. Essex Jct, Vt: Essex Publishing Company, 1963. Miller, Kate and Bill Kaigle. "Stannard House May See New Life." Historically Speaking: The Newsletter of the Milton Historical Society2006-2007, 1-4. Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont. “Vermont Certified Organic Farms.” Accessed October 4, 2010. http://nofavt.org/find-organic-farms.php?a=full. “Obituary: Harold Smith Cadreact.” Burlington Free Press.com. Last modified August 30, 2010.http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/burlingtonfreepress/obituary.aspx?n=harold-smith-cadreact&pid=145003299. “Obituary: Loren M. Sanderson.” Burlington Free Press.com. Last modified March 21, 2010. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/burlingtonfreepress/obituary.aspx?n=loren-m-sanderson&pid=140992198. Raymond, Henry. “Marjorie Cleveland's Brother Dies At Age 88.” Last modified August 30, 2010. Accessed October 4, 2010. http://www.vtgrandpa.com/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=9914.0. Russell, Howard S. A Long, Deep Furrow. Hanover, NH: University Press of New England, 1976. Sanderson, Loren. "The Mears Farm and Family." Historically Speaking: The Newsletter of the Milton Historical Society2003-2004, 3. Sanderson, Loren. "The Town Poor Farm." Historically Speaking: The Newsletter of the Milton Historical Society2005-2006, 2. Thompson, Zadock. A Gazeteer of the State of Vermont; Containing a Brief General View of the State, a Historical and Topographical Description of All the Counties, Towns, Rivers, &c.Together with a Map and Several Other Engravings. Montpelier, VT: E.P. Walton and the Author, 1824. Googlebooks edition. Visser, Thomas D. Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings. Hanover, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 1997. Wright, F. C. History of Milton. Milton, Vermont, 1941.
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Funding support for the Vermont Barn Census project has been provided in part by a Preserve America grant through the National Park Service to the State of Vermont Division for Historic Preservation.