Bill Harrigan has been in dairy his whole life, but not always hands-on farming. He grew up on a dairy farm but worked for McCadam, a brand in the Cabot family, for 20 years before he decided to dive directly back into the field of agriculture. He also owns a handful of rental properties and a convenience store called Bill’s Bait and Beer that caters to local fishermen. “My first desire was to be a dairy farmer,” he says. “I’m very satisfied with my life path to-date.”
Eagle’s Nest Farm is a seasonal dairy, which means they milk cows from early April until late December each year. Given the topography of his hilly land, Bill believes it’s the best way to optimize the rugged terrain. “The land is not tillable,” he explains, “so I pasture the cows and supplement with some grain. Our cows are healthy and they produce great quality milk. It’s all very close to nature, and the system is just right for our land.”
Bill and his wife, Angie, a teacher, raised their four children—Angelica, Jamie, Austin, and Olivia—on the farm. “We have been dairy farmers ever since my grandfather emigrated from Ireland,” Bill says. “My mom and dad raised ten sons and three daughters on the family dairy farm. It’s a great place to raise a family.” Beyond that satisfaction, Bill adds, he’s proud of the contribution he has made through his work: “Farming to me means that we’re stewards of the land and responsible for raising a nutritious product for people across the country.”