Adams Turkey Farm and Maple Products
by Chris French

I spent a couple of hours on Sunday talking with Judy Adams of Adams Turkey Farm. I had a great time, and look forward to having the farm and the Adams family as part of the Sweet Clover Market community.

Judy and her husband Dave started the farm in 1981. They decided to take the plunge (and the associated risks of farming in Vermont) by selling chicken eggs, boarding horses, and later by raising beef cattle. In 1984 they added their first brood of turkeys, selling all of them at Henry’s Market in Essex Junction. That first year, they raised and sold around 100 turkeys. In 1985 they added a processing facility, built according to USDA regulations, and continued to expand the number of turkeys raised. Now, over 2,000 turkeys are processed each year.

Turkeys have long been the mainstay at the farm, but in 2001 the Adams decided to take on the project of raising chickens. They started by selling them directly from the farm, and this is the first year to wholesale to other retail stores. Judy said she is optimistic about sales and will most likely increase the fresh and frozen line to meet local demand. Like the turkeys, the number of chickens raised and sold has continued to grow over the years. The chickens are raised on fresh grains, fresh water, and fresh air, and are processed through November. The Adams are planning on having chicken available through the cold winter months, however supplies will be limited. Chickens will arrive on the farm for the next season beginning in March 2007.

Phill and Mandie, son and daughter of Dave and Judy Adams, have fun with the horses at Adams Turkey Farm. The newborn colt is in the foreground.

Judy Adams displays a sample of the fresh, locally grown products available from their farm.

Sweet-smelling steam billows out of the sugar house this spring at Adams Turkey Farm.

Dave junior checks the density of the syrup in the boiler.

With the help of the family, the farm also sells other things on a seasonal and year-long basis. Dave junior works with the Vermont State Fish & Wildlife Department, and comes down from Fairfax each spring to help produce the maple syrup. He also helps with the processing of the poultry. Their eldest daughter, Elizabeth, a recent graduate of Boston College, lends a supportive touch to all aspects of the farm while pursuing a science career in human cancer research. Youngest son Phill (17), with the assistance and hard work of their youngest daughter Mandie, sells pumpkins via Phill’s Country Pumpkins in the fall. Judy said that Phill has really made a business out of the pumpkins, learning the value of earning money and the responsibilities that go along with the business. Mandie is also a young entrepreneur at ten years old, and just started her own egg business! She loves working with her laying hens, and wants to be a vet when she grows up. The farm also sells compost in the spring, Christmas trees in November and December, and cut fire-wood and hay year ‘round.

Judy is excited to expand their products to Sweet Clover Market by supplying high-quality, locally grown products on a regular basis. When I asked Judy what community meant to her, she said, “You know you’re successful when you have the support of customers from your community.” She emphasized how wonderful it was to live in a vibrant area. She is grateful for their many loyal customers. Judy described one example of how this is a win-win cycle: they donate a portion of the sales from their compost to the Westford Conservation Committee.

They are currently updating their website to include information about selling the chickens. You can visit them online at www.adamsturkeyfarm.com, in person at 1192 Old Stage Road in Westford, or give them a call at 802.878.4726 to schedule a visit.