Sidney’s Rainbow Valley Farm recognized as Maine Dairy Farm of the Year

The Bragg family. (contributed photo)

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 percent butterfat (BF), 3.3 percent 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.

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:

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.

Jake Bragg returned to the farm after a distinguished military career, bringing a renewed dedication to the family business. He served in the U.S. 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.

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 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 of the Year