Labor of love: Cranston’s Ann Stamp one of five finalists in national ’Farm Moms‘ competition

By Daniel Kittredge
Posted 4/28/16

Farming is a fundamental part of Ann Stamp’s life.

For more than 25 years, she has been co-manager at Stamp Farms, handling the finances and working alongside her husband, Bill Stamp III. Along …

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Labor of love: Cranston’s Ann Stamp one of five finalists in national ’Farm Moms‘ competition

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Farming is a fundamental part of Ann Stamp’s life.

For more than 25 years, she has been co-manager at Stamp Farms, handling the finances and working alongside her husband, Bill Stamp III. Along the way, the couple has raised and home-schooled eight children and been active in the community.

“We’re so blessed and privileged to be a farming and to be able to raise our children in farming,” she said. “[The children have] learned the value of hard work … They all have a real deep appreciation for agriculture.”

Now, Ann’s commitment to farming has earned her national recognition. She has been named the Northeast regional finalist in Monsanto’s 2016 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest, part of a field of five that includes women from North Dakota, Colorado, Minnesota, and Kentucky.

Ann’s daughter, Laura, who lives in San Francisco, submitted an essay nominating her for the honor. Ann was in St. Louis, Mo., last week as the “Farm Moms” finalists were announced, and an online vote is now under way to select the national winner.

“It was a complete surprise to me,” Ann said, noting that she and her husband had just been in Scotland visiting another one of their daughters who recently gave birth to their first grandchild. “It’s been a whirlwind. It’s been great.”

Stamp Farms’ roots in Rhode Island trace back to the early 20th century, when Bill’s grandfather, a German immigrant, started raising chickens and selling eggs at the corner of Plainfield Pike and Comstock Parkway in Cranston. In the decades since, the operation has grown to include farms in Richmond and Exeter on the North Kingstown line. Ann’s in-laws, Bill and Carol, remain active at the farm.

“We’re still a very small family farm,” she said. “We grow everything you could think of … My husband’s a phenomenal grower.”

Ann, who holds a degree in plant science and horticulture from Cornell University, oversees the farm’s greenhouses and the business side of more than 100 acres of sweet corn.

“I have the best customers in the world at the greenhouses,” she said. “People are there because they love gardening, adding beauty to their own home.”

In the fall, the farm provides free hayrides at its Exeter location, which Ann said has became a “tradition and a joy for so many families.”

Ann’s community involvement includes serving as committee chair for Boy Scout Pack and Troop 158 in Exeter-West Greenwich. She also provides agricultural education to young people and others in the community through the Rhode Island Farm Bureau.

Carrying on the agricultural tradition is highly important to Ann. Two of her children, ages 12 and 14, continue to help around the farm. While it remains “to be determined” whether any of the children - ranging in age from 12 to 29 - will enter the business, she said their immersion in farming will have benefits no matter where their lives take them.

“We’re instilling in them a love of the outdoors … and serving others,” she said.

The focus on the future extends beyond her family, as well. She has served as an advocate for agriculture on the local and state levels, and sees the industry as extremely important for Rhode Island in the years to come.

“Farming is one of the fastest growing aspects of our society right now in Rhode Island. [The state] is seeing a huge boom in small farming. I look forward to the future of agriculture … There’s a real need for agriculture to remain strong in Rhode Island,” she said. “Future generations, that’s what it’s about.”

For being named the regional “Farm Moms” finalist, Ann receives a $5,000 prize. Voting for the national honors continues through May 4 on Monsanto’s website for the competition, AmericasFarmers.com.

“It’s just a privilege to have received it,” she said. “Ultimately, the award is not just about me. It’s a tribute to all the hard-working ‘Farms Moms’ in the Northeast. It’s nice to be appreciated. Farmers are really the hardest working people I know … It’s because we are committed to farming, and we know the value of agriculture. It’s not easy, but we will continue to promote and protect agriculture in the state of Rhode Island.

In a statement announcing the finalists, Tracy Mueller, Monsanto’s corporate brand manager, praised the “Farm Moms” and what they represent.

“Once again we are so honored to have read nominations for hundreds of the strongest, kindest and most passionate women when it comes to their families, farms, communities and agriculture,” she said. “What all of these women accomplish on a daily basis is phenomenal, making our job to select just one winner per region a difficult one. However, we are thrilled to introduce America to our five new regional farm moms. We were impressed with their drive and willingness to speak out for agriculture, and we know America will be, too.”

The national “Farm Mom of the Year” will receive an additional $5,000 prize.

Stamp Farms’ Cranston location is at 219 Comstock Parkway, and the Exeter location is at 1 Stamp Place. For more information visit stampfarms.com.

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