This is the family farm. My grandparents still live there now. The large dairy barn, silo, and the barn in the far back behind the house have all since come down. The house in the top left also belonged to the extended family until it was abandoned.

Hi there! We're thrilled to hear that you recognized your family farm in the aerial photo from 1968. It must hold so many memories for you! We'd love to hear more about life on the farm. What kind of farming did your family do back then? And could you share any other interesting stories or details about the property?

This would've been taken the year my mom was born, the oldest of 5 children. At that time, I believe they had dairy cattle, swine, poultry, horses, and the primary livestock then and now has been Angus beef cattle. My mom, aunts, uncles, and extended family were heavily involved in 4-H and my grandpa was instrumental in forming the Jefferson Jets club, being located on the Jefferson Ridge. They were known for their prize-winning beef cattle and poultry. Over time, my grandparents focused on those two things, and sold off the pigs, horses, and dairy cattle. Ultimately, that meant the dairy barn and swine shed were brought down. Now, they only keep enough chickens and Angus cattle to support the family and my youngest cousins still show them for 4-H. Today there is a beautiful apple orchard behind the house and an extensive vegetable and flower garden that my grandma tends to with the help of the grandkids (and now great-grandkid). My favorite memories growing up are hiking through the wooded valleys and the pioneer-era orchard hunting mushrooms with my mom and uncles, and taking calves on walks and giving them baths as we trained them for show.