WHO IS ROBERTS' FARM?2010 New Additions & Updates 2
2010 New Additions & Updates 3
2010 New Additions & Updates 4
| ABOUT US Mike graduated from GMI Engineering & Management Institute in 1996 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering & worked in that field for about 10 years. We married in September 1996, and were blessed with our two boys in 1999 and 2000. Mike began farming part-time in 2000. After many hours of prayers & planning, we formulated a plan for Mike to farm full-time. Our dream became a reality in January 2006. We're the 7th generation on Mike's mom's side (Ross) to farm here, but much of it has been "out-of-service" for the past 30 years. We're still working at getting the farm back to "farmable" land. Through several different grants, we have received partial funding to make improvements on the farm. This has allowed us to rotationally graze & develop natural springs to harvest water for our animals, & convert used vegetable oil to biodiesel for use in our tractor. We're always reading & researching new endeavors in order to increase the sustainability of our farm. We are "voluntarily organic" - bringing affordability & practicality back to natural farming. We are respecting the land by not adding chemical fertilizers and pesticides on it, & by tending to our livestock with natural metods. In January 2007, we began milking a small herd of dairy cattle. We are a seasonal, grass-based dairy (no grain); & are a 100% herd-share dairy. For the 2009-2010 school year, we have begun yet another new path...homeschooling our boys! This is something we have been praying about for several years. We are using a Christian based curriculum, called My Father's World, and the whole experience has been a blessing to us all! Dawn does the bulk of the teaching: bible, reading, english, spelling, social studies, science, and geography. Mike does the math, science experiments, nature walks, and practical implementations of what they have been learning. We enjoy studying the Bible with other like-minded friends, taking walks around our farm, and just being with each other & all of our extended family. GOD HAS REALLY BLESSED US! We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about our farm and what we have to offer. We believe we are following the path God has set out for our family...if we can serve you through Him, our goal is complete. |
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JUST WHO IS ROBERTS' FARM & WHAT DO THEY BELIEVE? History Of Our Farm - FORMERLY KNOWN AS GLENWOOD FARM -by Ernie Ross In the spring of 1818, a rider on horseback arrived at Ohio Landing. At the time it was called Centerville and in later years Carrollton. He had traveled many days and many miles for the purpose of securing land in the 7 Ranges. Frederick Harbil was not disappointed. In the ensuing days, Frederick managed to find land in Sandy Township. Later in 1833 this land would be reassigned to Rose and Brown Townships, Carroll County, Ohio. Returning to Lancaster County, P A., Frederick gathered up his family, and set out for Ohio. On or about 5/4/1823, Johann Finefrock, and his wife Elizabeth Harbil, set out to join Frederick. It was an arduous journey by covered wagon, taking four weeks. They arrived here and moved in on 7/4/1823. Johann was a locksmith by trade and very mechanically minded. Emanuel, his son, had become a carpenter and building contractor. Sometime after Emanuel's marriage to Rebecca, they purchased the home farm and built a new house. The original house was destroyed by fire. Shortly after he moved in on 8/20/1873, it was struck by lightning and he rebuilt again. Emanuel engaged in general farming along with his construction business. When he passed away in 1915 the farm had been rented out for a number of years. His daughter, Alice, had married James Harvey Ross, a local grain dealer and mill owner, and had moved to Waynesburg in 1900. In 1918, due to his asthma from working in the mill, James Harvey, on the advice of his doctor, contemplated his future and decided to make a move. Knowing the Finefrock farm was for sale, and wanting to relocate to the fresh air of the country, he sold his business and purchased the farm. Since the farm and house had been rented out, the property had deteriorated badly. James Harvey, with the help of his family, restored the buildings and started the dairy herd. About 1920, he sold his house and land in town, and moved his family to the farm. During the hard times of the Depression, it was decided to go into the retail milk business. The Ross Brothers Dairy was started in 1930, by my father Kenneth, and lasted until Uncle Donald took over in the early 40's. In 1935 the dairy barn burned to the ground and was rebuilt shortly thereafter. In 1947 James Harvey's son Paul, and his wife Maxine, purchased the farm and continued the dairy herd. The next owners would be Paul's daughters, Cora Roberts and Betsy Winsley, and then just Cora and her husband Andy Roberts. Mike, Andy and Cora's son, is now the current operator and is transforming it into a sustainable farm using organic practices. Mike would be the seventh generation to live on this land. E. H. Ross 2006
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