Monday, October 29, 2012

You Can Go Home Again

I'm going home.

Home to the house I grew up in.



Home to the barns and corrals and fields that raised me.

(Yes, that is me riding a sheep.  Ironically, his name was Henry and he was our pet for 11 years!)

But I'm not going alone.

I'm taking this bunch with me.

Already, word is getting out that we don't farm like everybody else.  There's one of these up there and it's got the community talking.



On Monday, November 5th, I'm headed home to make my home.  We're buying my parents' farmstead.  We're moving our family and our business.  Our current customers have no need to worry, we will still serve them as usual.  We'll just be in a different location.

You might be thinking, "This seems a bit sudden."
These plans have been in the works for almost two years.  Hubby and I had talked about moving for a few different reasons.  I said, "If we're going to move somewhere, let's move somewhere that means something to us."  So we called my parents and said, "If you ever want to sell the farm, we'd be interested.  We don't want an answer now.  Take a few days.  Think about it, pray about it and then we'll talk."

The phone rang an hour later.  "Nothing would make us happier than for you to take over the farm."  According to Mom, Dad had tears in his eyes because his farm would stay in our family.  My children are the 4th generation to live and work on that land.  Until the day he died, he kept saying how proud he was that I and Hubby were going to take over the farm.

He knew we wouldn't farm in the traditional way and that made him even prouder.  Every time he visited our farm here, he would want to see what we were doing.  Asked questions and listened to our explanations.  Provided encouragement.

It is sweet and humbling to take over your father's farm.  To walk the paths he walked, to hold his tools, to open his gates.  To take what he built and do more.

I'll share more of this physical and emotional journey over the next weeks and months.  But for now, I'll be deep into boxes.  If you'd like to help, we're packing the truck around 10am on Monday the 5th and unloading late afternoon at THE FARM.  I promise there isn't as much as stuff as THE SALE.

You can go home again...I'd like you to come along!





21 comments:

  1. SO proud of your big decision coming to life and to know there is a 4th generation coming to your home farm. We'll still be supporting all that you do!

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  2. Good for you, Annie! I will no longer think every time I drive by the Cleveland exit - I wonder just exactly where Annie lives around here! :) Now I will know precisely where you live. Proud of you (and maybe a little jealous too)!! Anna

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  3. That's wonderful news. We too bought my parent's farm several years ago, while my Dad was still around - like yours, he was so pleased that we wanted it. I found it humbling actually, especially when the kid were small, to realize how much my parents got done in a day. It is wonderful to be surrounded by such familiar surroundings.

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    1. It is so comforting to hear the familiar sounds, the creaking of the kitchen floor, the thunk of the furnace...

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  4. Awesome! Congratulations, Annie!

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    1. Thanks Melisa! We'll have to make a "World's Largest" something so you can come take your picture!

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  5. Congratulations!! Where is this new/old home located?

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    1. 50 miles straight north of Bismarck. You can stop on your way to Minot for skating!

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  6. Great decision Annie! My parents also just bought my grandfathers farmstead in Iowa (where my father was born!). My dad is as giddy as a school boy to have a 1000 acre "hobby" farm. The land has been in our family since the 1800's. Can you believe that?! Hard to let a place slip out of family hands after so many generations. Im excited to hear of your new adventure and happy for you my college friend!

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    1. Muy gracias, Beth!! (I had to resurrect my high school spanish just for you!)

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  7. Congratulations on the new home! Will miss seeing you around here though. I'm glad I'll be able to keep up with you though.

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  8. Replies
    1. Come visit over Christmas. The kids would love to show Alice the farm and all their animals. She can gather eggs for breakfast and milk a goat!

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  9. So glad to meet you guys & best of luck on the move. We live north of McClusky which won't be too far from where you guys are moving to. Would like to get to know you guys better. Take Care!!

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    1. This was Jolene Haux that left the message that says Steve Haux. I met you @ the sale & are also friends with Davin & Kristi Wirrenga.

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    2. Hi Jolene! We'll be there on Monday and we'd love to get together some time!

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I read each and every comment, thank you for sharing in our farm!