Ruth (Withington) Shumway - Green Acres Milking Shorthorns
1933-2008
Ruth (Withington) Shumway was born January 21, 1933, to Philo and Vivian Withington of Green Acres Farm in North Hartland, VT. She joined 4-H in 1944 and her first two show heifers were Milking Shorthorns. She was very active in the local fair circuit, and in 1947 she exhibited her first heifer at the Eastern States Exposition, where her Senior Yearling placed first in the 4-H show and second in the open show under judge Keith King.
Ruth worked with her parent on the farm after graduating from Hartford High School in 1951. She moved to New York for 4 years and then returned to North Hartland where she went into partnership with her parents on Green Acres. The farm saw many changes during the late 1960's and 1970's. The original round barn was added onto twice, increasing herd size to 150 head. The round barn burned in 1978 and some Milking Shorthorns were lost. The replacement barn was a 100-stall tiestall facility, with attached heifer barn. In 1994 Green Acres Farm was sold along with the Holstein herd. Ruth and 78 Milking Shorthorns moved to a 96-acre facility in Randolph Center, Vermont.
Ruth was the recipient of numerous milk quality awards from Agri-Mark over the years, showing her dedication to producing high quality from the herd of Milking Shorthorns. She was a member of the American Milking Shorthorn Society, the New England Milking Shorthorn Society and the Middle Branch Grange 463.
The Green Acres prefix has been familiar name in the Milking Shorthorn breed at both the local and national level over the decades. Cattle have been sold across the United States, and many 4-H'ers have started their Milking Shorthorn experiences with a Green Acres calf. Green Acres animals have had success in the show ring and been nominated for, and received, All American honors. Animals in this category include Green Acres BT Magnet (nominated AA Jr 2 - late, 80's), Green Acres MP Maiden (AA Junior Calf 2000, Cate Family), Green Acres Demnda Forever (Res. AA Senior Calf 2005, Elizabeth Byers), Green Acres Target Spice EXP (UAA 5 Year Old 2009), Green Acres Titan Temptation (multiple AA honors) and numerous others.