Putman Farm

Lisbon, NY

245 acres owned, 100 acres rented

80 milking cows

Hard, honest work

Clark and Nancy Putman both come from farming families and each brought their own perspective to the farm they now run together in northern New York State. Clark grew up on a dairy farm and Nancy on a beef farm. They have very much appreciated the opportunity to raise their own two children, Aaron and Kaitlyn, on the farm. The youngsters have grown up feeding the calves and riding the tractor. For their parents, there is no greater joy than introducing the next generation to the hard, honest work of raising good food for people.

“It’s a wonderful life.”

Both Clark and Nancy also hold down off-farm jobs in the agricultural sector. Back on the farm, they do morning and evening chores and then play catch up on the weekends. While there’s not much rest or free time, there is a great deal of satisfaction. “It’s a wonderful life and a terrific way to raise a family,” says Nancy. “If you’re a dairy farmer, you’re in it because you love it.”

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- Nancy Putnam

Community contributions

The couple has also contributed to their local community in a variety of ways. Clark is past president of the Northern New York Bulk Milk Producers Coop, was a Northco board member and director of Cornell Cooperative Extension and of the St. Lawrence County Farm Bureau. Nancy is the district director for the St. Lawrence Dairy of Distinction and past NY State secretary for Dairy of Distinction, where she helps identify leading dairy farms to represent the industry. Their daughter Kaitlyn is currently on the St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Court serving as a dairy ambassador. Aaron is a member of Canton Junior FFA.