Sherman Farm is a dairy and vegetable farm located in East Conway NH along the winding Saco River Valley.
Family History:
Sherman Farm is owned and operated by three generations of the Sherman family with the fourth generation waiting in the wings. Beginning in1964 the farm started as a small dairy farm and evolved through the 70’s and 80’s growing fruits and vegetables to be sold at a farmer’s market and at the farm. Al and Phyllis Sherman with the help of three daughters were very progressive in their time, diversifying out of necessity. Their farming knowledge enabled them to produce products the consumer wanted never hesitating to try something new. Growth was dictated by the customer base and as the times changed so did the niche market. Always at the forefront of their minds was producing a quality product, a product that looks beautiful and tastes great. Working with his family and a little hired help the dairy expanded slowly.
In the 1990’s Kathy became a full partner and now manages the operation of the farm. At her side are children Michele Hatch Dutton and Jeff Hatch. Michele oversees the accounting and social media relations and Jeff is the head of production. Together they all work to oversee the day to day operations and make it a point to make all major decisions as a family. Phyllis has recently retired and is enjoying her great grandchildren and knitting. Today the farm grows approximately sixty acres of vegetables, has a 12 acre corn maze operating for six weeks in the fall, raises over forty head of Angus Beef cattle and 30 pigs for pork sales, hauls and delivers milk in glass bottles, and the farm stand which sells all the product raised on the farm is open daily year round.
The family believes in and follows the farm’s mission statement. Sherman Farm’s mission is to produce excellent quality and great tasting farm food products in an efficient and respectful manner. We will produce our products in the most progressive way possible with the utmost respect for ourselves, our employees, our customers and our land. Important to us is our ability to honestly educate the consumer on the methods and philosophy of producing these products.
Continuing His Legacy
Sherman Farm is the successful farm it is today for one reason and that is due to Al Sherman and the vision he had. Al Sherman grew up on a farm in North Attleboro, MA and dreamed of owning his own farm. After graduating from UMass with a degree in Animal Husbandry he married his college sweetheart Phyllis Rawlins. He worked as a herdsman for several years and in 1964 bought the old “Shirley Farm” in East Conway, NH. With his bride, 2 young daughters, several dogs and a few cows moved on May 8, 1964.
Innovation was very much Al’s way, from the collaboration with neighbors, sharing equipment and labor to the adoption of new technologies before they were widely used. Realizing the dairy business would never be anything but volatile he went to his second love, growing fruits and vegetables. Under his gentle guidance the business has become what it is today and with his dream of always striving to do better we are determined to continue to improve.
Not only was Al a great farmer but he also took interest in the community around him. He was a lifetime member of the Fryeburg Lions Club, serving two terms as president and for many years the sight chairman. He also was active in the East Conway Fire Department, serving for several years as chief. He was also involved with agricultural committees from the extension service to cooperative organizations, still leaving him the time to become involved in family activities.
On March 18, 2008 Al passed away peacefully in his sleep, just as he would have wished. He leaves us with the legacy of patience, good humor and the will to always do a little bit better.