WESTFIELD-Each year during the Eastern States Exposition, surrounding communities are “saluted” with a grand parade. On Thursday Sept. 29, it’s Westfield Day and Mayor Brian B. Sullivan has chosen Randy Pomeroy of Pomeroy Farm on Russellville Road to be the parade marshal.
“We are thrilled that Randy Pomeroy has accepted our request to be parade marshal,” said Sullivan. “The Pomeroy family farm has been in business for four generations, and is a great asset to our city.”
On Friday morning, Randy Pomeroy and his sister, Rachel Pomeroy, who are owners of the farm, were just finishing milking their 130 cows when they took a break to say they are honored for the opportunity to represent the city. Randy Pomeroy will lead the parade on a 1940’s John Deere tractor.
Siblings Rachel and Randy Pomeroy, owners of Pomeroy Farm in Westfield, are seen with “Pansy,” their eight-year-old milking cow.
The Big E Daily Parade – approximately one mile – starts at 5 p.m. at the beginning of the Avenue of States and travels counter-clockwise around the Big E until it circles the entire grounds and ends up back where it started. Westfield High School students are also expected to march, as well as city dignitaries and other contingents, according to Catherine Pappas, communications manager, Eastern States Exposition.
The Pomeroy family has been producing pure maple syrup on their Westfield dairy farm for four generations, and both siblings couldn’t imagine any other life. During the spring, they also oversee Pomeroy Sugar House which serves pancakes, French toast and waffles smothered in toppings including pure maple syrup, strawberries or blueberries, as well as home fries, English muffins and blueberry muffins.
“I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” said Randy Pomeroy. Pomeroy graduated from Westfield Vocational High School in 2009 and completed a two-year farm management program in agriculture/engineering at the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, N.Y.
Rachel Pomeroy echoed those sentiments.
After graduating from Westfield High School, she completed an animal science pre-vet program at the University of Massachusetts, and then continued her studies in the same field at North Carolina State.
“I like the challenges every day here, and working with the cows is my favorite part,” she said.
In addition to feeding and milking 130 cows each day, they both tend to their 200 acres which includes harvesting acres of corn and hay that is used to feed their cows year round. In addition, they both are always addressing maintenance issues with farm equipment.
Pomeroy Sugar House on Russellville Road in Westfield is a popular spring destination for pancakes and real maple syrup.
“I also like to work with the community in different ways, and keep up our social media links including Facebook and our website,” said Rachel Pomeroy. “We believe in communicating where food comes from, explaining the importance of keeping farming alive in the region, and showing how animals should be treated. We are all connected with the general community.”
While Rachel Pomeroy was also “thrilled” that Sullivan chose their farm to lead the parade, she will not be marching that day.
“Someone has to stay behind and milk the cows,” her brother chuckled.
Sullivan noted that choosing Pomeroy Farm was important for several reasons – and especially in light of the Big E’s 100th celebration of agriculture.
“Their commitment to agriculture and giving back to the community made them an easy choice,” said Sullivan.
