Firefly Farms' Rare Randall Cows Need Homes As Illness Forces Closing

NORTH STONINGTON, CT —They're a rare and critically endangered breed. The numbers of this quintessentially New England bovine breed are so low globally that the small North Stonington family farm has the second-largest herd in the world.

But just because something is rare doesn't mean it's in demand, apparently.

Taking on the care, and breeding, of the Randall Lineback, or just Randall, cow is a commitment that must be a combination of passion and devotion, Dugan Tillman-Brown, Firefly Farm manager and cattle whisperer, said.

And they're not an inexpensive cow but for good reason. A Randall from Firefly Farms will cost $1,500. A bull, a little more. It's around $650 for a calf, and a mother and calf pair goes for $2,000.

But, they live long, as old as 22. The milk they provide is "amazing," Tillman-Brown noted. Plus, Randall cows are excellent mothers, he said: "They don't quit, and they're devoted to their calves." And their meat is "incredible," he said, albeit tasted when the historic cow that dragged cannons during the Revolutionary War —draft oxen often put to work —has lived its life of service ends up on the dinner table.

Tillman-Brown and his mother, Beth Tillman, started Firefly Farms in 2011 and focused on humanely treated and organically fed pigs, ducks, chickens and, the scarce, singular and historic cow. Firefly Farms is a Certified Humane and ASPCA-listed small family farm, the first of three farms in the state to be so certified, Tillman-Brown said, adding "we went through an incredibly stringent assessment to ensure our animals have the very best treatment for their entire lives."

Firefly Farms' core values:

• Preservation of Heritage Breeds
• Uncompromised animal health and environmental health
• Humane treatment of animals (and humans)
• Family owned and operated
• Valuing all humans, family and employees, on the farm for their contributions to its success in its mission
• Farming as an as agent for clean food and land restoration
• Maintaining certification of humane care Integrity

"Firefly Farms is the realization of a dream to save critically endangered Heritage breeds and a passion to give them the best lives possible," the farm's story reads. "Firefly Farms is fulfilling our desire to restore abandoned farmland."

It's been a labor of love. But now, the family must shutter the farm.

"It's not for lack of love or will or ability," Tillman-Brown said.

Around three years ago, it began with a cancer diagnosis for one family member. Then another with severe mobility issues that led to myriad surgeries. And in Tillman-Brown's case, debilitating long Covid.

"One can't walk. One has cancer. And I've lost my brain," Tillman-Brown said, only half joking on the latter. Long Covid has left him with neurological symptoms that mimic stroke as well as aphasia, which makes language and communication difficult, and chronic fatigue.

"The heart is willing, but the body isn't," Tillman-Brown said.

Looking for homes: Where do the cows go?

For the past near three years, the family has known this time was likely coming and have tried but failed to begin finding homes for their beloved herd. On the farm, there are 120 animals in total, or as Tillman-Brown says: "120 heartbeats."

"We had some success," Tillman-Brown said, noting 14 animals have been purchased and gone to good homes. But that's not a dent in the herd.

"People get excited about the idea of rare breeds. Lots of people to express interest. But we haven't to be able to find someone with the passion or the skill set to take over. Hobbyists, that 'I never had a cow. They're so pretty,' is not the right person."

And on the few occasions when the right person has shown up and agreed to buy a number of the Randalls, negotiations have broken down, for myriad reasons. Tillman-Brown gets it.

"They say, 'I'll take 60,' and then a partner walks, and the farmer left says I cannot afford to feed them. One had a partner pass away. One lost a restaurant contract. We have one of the best herds in existence, and that's why we are so disappointed that we haven't been able to find farmers" that are the right fit, Tillman-Brown said.

"There's more giant pandas than there are Randall cattle in the world."

Tillman-Brown makes sure to note that, "it's not an emergency."

In other words, the Tilllman Brown family of Firefly Farms are not looking for rescues or fosters. They hope to find farmers and potential farmers that see the uncommon opportunity to tend a unique herd.

"There's more giant pandas than there are Randall cattle in the world," Tillman-Brown said. "The average herd of Randalls is like six animals. There are maybe five farms in the world that have a couple of dozen."

On the farms' social media post from Tuesday, the family noted that, "We love our Randalls, and we hate to have to say goodbye."

Tillman-Brown and his family do not want to see the Randall bulls, heifers, cows, calves and steers "just be sent to pasture," or worse: "We do not want to see these animals go to auction, not after all of us have worked so hard to bring these beautiful animals back from just 14 lone cows."

Tillman-Brown and other members of the family are ill, but as he told Patch, "If we do not find homes, we'll keep working with them even if we can't keep breeding them.

"They're rare, unique, and irreplaceable."

Learn more about Firefly Farms on its website and via its Facebook and Instagram accounts. Or contact the farm via email at info@fireflyfarmsllc.com.