David Brophy and his father Greg showcase some of their watermelons at their farm between Holyoke and Wray. Their family has been providing watermelons to people in the area for generations. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications
Brophy watermelons a family tradition
Amid the sandhills between Holyoke and Wray sits a 2-acre dryland farm that has been supplying Holyoke with watermelons for many years.
Greg Brophy, who has served in both the state house of representatives and the state senate, is the fourth generation in his family to provide the Holyoke area with watermelons.
Brophy’s great-grandfather began growing watermelons in the 1920s. His grandfather, who grew up on the land, grew watermelons on both sides of the valley farm in the 1950s. Brophy himself first began growing watermelons in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
“It’s an important part of our family identity,” Brophy said. “I love doing it, and I intend to keep doing it as long as I am able.”
Brophy added that they have always been sticklers for quality, and his grandfather taught some of his neighbors how to grow watermelons, too.
Brophy’s son David said being on the watermelon farm makes up some of his earliest memories.
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