Fisher Farms of Sabattus named Dairy Farm of the Year
ORONO, ME – The Maine dairy community and University of Maine Cooperative Extension announce Fisher Farms and the Fisher family as the 2026 Maine Dairy Farm of the Year. This honor is part of the New England Green Pastures Award, a regional program that recognizes an outstanding dairy family from each of the six New England states to celebrate agricultural excellence, environmental stewardship, and community leadership.
Selected through a competitive process that begins with nominations from fellow farmers and community members, finalists are evaluated by a committee composed of past award winners. Candidates are judged on overall farm appearance, quality of feed production, milk efficiency, family unity, and a strong commitment to environmental preservation and community leadership.
A century and a half of family heritage
Established in 1865, Fisher Farms has served as a local agricultural anchor for over 160 years. Today, the operation is run by Alden and Lisa Fisher alongside daughters Carmen Fisher and April Wyman, representing generations of deep-rooted commitment to Maine’s farming heritage.
The story of Fisher Farms began with Milking Shorthorns and expanded to include Holsteins in the 1940s and 1950s. The family currently oversees about 135 animals, with 55 cows milked twice daily. The milking herd is housed in a historic barn built in 1970 by Alden’s father, Asa Fisher.
The farm has a small team of three full-time staff members, but achieves exceptional milk production comparable to larger farms. The milking herd produces and ships approximately 1.26 million pounds of milk each year, and the farm maintains an exceptionally low somatic cell count, a key industry measure of milk cleanliness and cow comfort, putting them in the top tier for quality.
Sustainable stewardship and modernization
Sustaining their herd across 315 acres, the Fishers practice rotational grazing from May to October, moving their cows to fresh pastures regularly to promote healthy exercise and preserve soil health.
Over the past 30 years, Alden and Lisa have modernized the farm, partnering with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to design and install essential infrastructure. These conservation projects include covered manure storage systems that protect local watersheds from runoff while improving winter conditions for the herd during Maine’s harsh weather. Looking ahead, the Fishers plan to construct a dedicated winter facility specifically designed for young calves and mother cows to further elevate their animal care.
Resilience and family unity
The true test of a family farm often lies in how it responds to unexpected hardship. In March, the family’s resilience was put to the test when Alden required life-saving heart surgery, forcing a strict ten-week recovery right at the start of the busy spring season.
Without their main operator, the family rallied together. Carmen, Lisa, April, and Carmen’s husband, Gerry, stepped up to manage the heavy workload. Together, they repaired fences, prepared fields, managed the herd, and planted 45 acres of corn on schedule. Thanks to their smooth teamwork, Alden was able to safely return to farm duties in June, in time for the first grass harvest.
Advocacy and community leadership
The Fisher family’s commitment to the dairy industry extends well beyond their own pastures. Carmen is a dedicated advocate for Maine’s agricultural community, regularly testifying before the state Legislature’s Appropriations Committee on behalf of the Maine Dairy Industry Association (MDIA). As a voice for the next generation of farmers, she engages with state officials to support farm stabilization programs while educating the public on where their food comes from.
Fisher Farms will be formally recognized alongside top farms from across New England at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E) in Massachusetts this September. They will also be celebrated at the Maine Dairy Seminar, hosted by UMaine Extension in March 2027.
About 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.