BOVINA - Farmers, families, neighbors and visitors came together on Sunday, Sept. 6 for the 16th Annual Bovina Farm Day, filling the Weber family farm on Crescent Valley Road for a day celebrating the agricultural heritage - and future - of Bovina and the surrounding area.
Throughout the day, visitors experienced farm culture firsthand through farm animals, hayrides, butter making, maple candy making, antique farm machinery, a “Farm to Fork” lamb butchering demonstration, tours of the historic Maynard Schoolhouse, local food and agricultural vendors, and the annual Apple Pie and Scarecrow contests.
More than a traditional fall festival, Bovina Farm Day continues to provide an important connection between the farmers working the land today and the residents and visitors who want to better understand and support local agriculture.
This year also marked an important milestone for Farming Bovina. During Farm Day, the organization celebrated the first three recipients of its new Farm Enhancement Grant Program, presenting the winning farmers and their families with ceremonial checks recognizing a combined $4,325 in grants for projects that will directly support their farm operations.
The Farm Enhancement Grant was launched in 2026 using funds raised through Bovina Farm Day and is designed to support distinct farm-based projects that improve the efficiency, productivity and profitability of farmers in and around Bovina.
2026 Farm Enhancement Grant Recipients
Sol Latus Livestock Company — $2,150
Jack Stanton, an eighth-generation Bovina farmer, received a $2,150 Farm Enhancement Grant for Sol Latus Livestock Company on East Bramley Mountain Road in Bovina.
Stanton raises sheep and beef cattle on approximately 500 acres his family has farmed for more than 200 years. The grant will help fund the purchase of a headlock feeder wagon that will allow him to more safely and efficiently breed his expanding Angus-Hereford herd using artificial insemination. As Stanton explained in his application, the equipment will allow him to “bring the ‘barn’ to the cows.”
Humdinger Holsteins — $1,650
Trevor Holdridge received a $1,650 Farm Enhancement Grant for Humdinger Holsteins, the 500-acre Bloomville dairy farm started by his parents nearly 40 years ago and which Holdridge is now taking over.
The grant will help replace 13 deteriorated cow mattresses in the barn, providing more comfortable resting areas for the herd and contributing to improved animal health and dairy production.
When awarded his check, Trevor explained, “without this grant, this project would not be possible.”
Maplewood Farm & Orchard — $525
Duane and Karen LaFever received a $525 Farm Enhancement Grant for Maplewood Farm & Orchard, their 106-acre Bovina farm on Miller Avenue.
The LaFever family welcomes an increasing number of residents and visitors to the farm each fall for apple and pumpkin picking, wagon rides, farm animals, children’s activities, seasonal food and the farm’s signature maple products. The grant will fund five new picnic tables, expanding comfortable seating for visitors during busy fall events and helping support the farm’s growing agritourism business.
The three projects reflect the purpose behind the new program: providing targeted investments that can make a tangible difference to the operation and economic sustainability of local farms.
Funds for the Farm Enhancement Grant are raised through Bovina Farm Day, creating a direct connection between the thousands of interactions that take place during the annual celebration and Farming Bovina’s year-round mission to strengthen local agriculture.
Farming Bovina thanks the farmers, volunteers, vendors, sponsors, community members and visitors who helped make the 2026 Bovina Farm Day a success and, through their participation, made the organization’s inaugural Farm Enhancement Grants possible.
Planning will soon begin for the 17th Annual Bovina Farm Day, returning Labor Day Weekend 2027.
