This collection consists of interviews and photographs documenting the working lives of North Country Dairy Farmers. This project was made possible by an Archie Green Fellowship from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress as part of the LOC’s ongoing effort to document the many work cultures of the United States, and the materials are also available through the Library of Congress.

The project focuses on St. Lawrence, Lewis, Franklin, and Jefferson Counties (NY), including multiple workers on each of fourteen farms of varying size. It examines the changing nature of farm work with ongoing changes in technology and economic pressures, including the changing workforce, changing roles of farm workers, immigrant labor, and women’s roles. Interviewers spoke with farmers who employ immigrant labor about those relationships and the decisions and challenges involved in employing immigrant workers. Interviewers also spoke with Hispanic workers to ensure that their stories are included in this documentation.

Interview subjects/locations:

Haskell and Jane Yancey Farm
Andrews View Farm
Home of Robert Thompson
Workshop of Blake Gendebien
Home of Peter and Sharen Gendebien

Home of Dan Finney

Home of Thomas Shultz

Home of Doug Moser

Home of Joe and Sue Shultz

Home of Sherry Kawecki

Five Mile Line Farm—home of Mark Akins

Home of Kevin and Phyllis Acres

Home of Marco and Pascual

Home of Andrew Gilbert

Adon Farm

Home of Madeline Decker

Home of Clark and Nancy Decker