Rainbow Valley Farm and Bragg family recognized as Maine Dairy Farm and Family of the Year
Orono, Maine — The Maine dairy community honored Rainbow Valley Farm and the Bragg family of Sidney as the 2025 Maine Dairy Farm and Family of the Year, part of the New England Green Pastures Award. The Bragg family was recognized by their peers for their strong dedication to stewardship, innovation and community involvement in the dairy industry. A formal presentation was held at this year’s Big E in Massachusetts last month, with another ceremony planned for the 2026 Maine Dairy Seminar.
Rainbow Valley Farm is currently run by Jeff Bragg and his son, Jake, representing the eighth and ninth generations of Braggs farming in Sidney since 1772. The farm milks approximately 200 cows with another 175 replacement stock, mostly a mix of Holsteins and Jerseys. Holsteins were originally chosen for their high milk production, while Jerseys were later added for their better feed-to-milk conversion. The herd is milked twice daily, producing high-quality milk that usually averages 4.7% butterfat (BF), 3.3% protein (PR), and a somatic cell count (SCC) of 120. The farm sells meat and milk at their farm store as well as in a few other local markets.
A Legacy of Innovation and Improvement
Jeff Bragg, who took over the farm from his parents, Harland and Shirley, has been a pioneer in modernizing the operation while staying committed to sustainable practices. His notable improvements and projects include:
- Construction of a heifer barn in 2000
- Installation of a large 100’x100’ solid manure pit
- Transition to organic farming in 2004
- Construction of a new parlor and holding area to enhance milking efficiency and cow comfort
The farm uses a rotational stocking management for its milking herd. Milking cows spend about 12 hours in the pasture on average, and up to 16 hours at the beginning of the grazing season, depending on grass availability. Most heifers are also outside on pasture for six months or more each year. The cows’ diet is supplemented inside the barn with a total mixed ration (TMR) of grass silage.
Continuing the Tradition: The Next Generation
Jake Bragg returned to the farm after a distinguished military career, bringing a renewed dedication to the family business. He served in the Air Force from 2003 to 2015 as a helicopter flight engineer and a C-130 navigator. Jake and his wife, Jillian, are carrying on the family’s legacy. Jillian, originally from Washington state with a grandfather from northern Maine, married Jake in 2008. She worked on the farm for many years before stepping away to focus on raising their four children and their fostering efforts.
Community and Future Vision
For the Bragg family, farming is about more than just cows and crops. It’s about community. They take pride in “creating an environment where people (of most ages) from our community can come, learn, grow, and go.” Rainbow Valley Farm is a truly local, community-operated farm. The farm has served as an active resource for the community, hosting events and tours for various groups, including a visit from U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a Whole Foods executive team visit and a Hannaford’s Dietitian On Farm Tour. The farm also hosts an international agricultural intern each year. Their popular annual pasture day, where they celebrate letting the cows out for the first time each spring, has a growing attendance each year. Jeff Bragg also runs a well-known Maine compost business and has hosted Maine Compost School tours several times.
Looking ahead, the Braggs have an ambitious improvement plan to solidify the farm’s future, including:
- An expansion of the milk room to add a second tank and a kitchen for on-farm milk processing (raw milk, cream, and low-temp pasteurized whole milk)
- The construction of a new heifer barn to house 150 animals
- A long-term dream to offer housing to interested young farm employees to help with the rising cost of home ownership
The Bragg family and Rainbow Valley Farm exemplify the very best of Maine agriculture, combining historic farming tradition with modern environmental and business innovation, while prioritizing their role as a pillar of their local community. Visit NewsCenter Maine for an extended interview with the Bragg family.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension
As a trusted resource for over 100 years, Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension seeks to build thriving communities and grow the food-based economy, focusing on aspects from production and processing to nutrition, food safety and food security. Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H, which offers hands-on projects in areas like health, science, agriculture and civic engagement and creates a positive environment where participants are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.