Louise Fowles, Sunnydell Farm, Southampton, MA.

Louise Fowles grew up in Hadley and Northampton and was a 1938 graduate of Stockbridge School of Agriculture, majoring in horticulture. Married that same year to Elwyn Fowles, she was a life-long partner in managing Sunnydell Farm for 50 years. Within a short time, the "city girl" was at home on the farm, helping build the herd and care for the prize-winning Guernsey Cattle. She was largely responsible for the naming, registering and raising the calves as well as determining the genetics of the next generation. What else would a farmer give his wife for Mother's Day but the purchase of a yearling bull, McDonald Farms Golden Bart - who became a foundation sire of the herd! Over the years, Louise was an active 4-H leader and member of the Southampton Grange, Congregational Church and Mother's Club. She often organized and prepared weekend suppers and contributed untold numbers of pies for their events. Louise worked tirelessly alongside Elwyn in the hayfield, tobacco field and in various routine chores and weather emergencies, the first being a hurricane shortly after they moved to the farm. Along with raising four children, Louise was a talented seamstress and later, a quilter. When not doing something with the cows, her large garden kept her busy canning and freezing vegetables. She passed on her love of nature and a particular interest in identifying flowers and birds, to her children.