I grew up on this farm. This photo was taken prior to many changes with silos, outbuildings, remodeling of the house, the woods being taken down due to age, etc. What a treat to see this!

Hi there! It's amazing to hear that you grew up on this farm and it holds so many memories for you. We'd love to hear more about your experiences. What kind of farming did you do on the property? We understand that a lot has changed over the years, but could you give us a glimpse into what it was like back in 1971?

This farm was started by my great-great grandfather Jan Adamec. They built the house that is standing there. The farm passed from him to his son, James Adamec. From him it was passed to his son, Albert Adams. From him it was passed to his son, Elmer Adamec - my father. My mother is currently the owner of the farm. The family uses it as a base for us, our children, and their children to visit her. The house was extensively remodeled in 1978, but still has the same foot print, much of the original wood work, and an attached breezeway and two car garage. There are still gas pipes for the original lighting that was in the house in the walls. The silo standing in this picture was knocked down mid '70's, and a much taller and wider stave silo was put up. A few years later another even taller and larger silo was put up, along with a large feed bunk that was automated. The cow yard was paved at that time, and a pole shed is also in that yard. The little poultry house in the middle of the yard was replaced by a huge machine shed. The large maple woods that you see on the north and west sides of the farm were removed as the trees started collapsing in on each other. It was replaced with rows of arborvitaes to build wind breaks. The large tree in the middle of the yard is hiding a wind mill, that used to pump the water to the barn and house. It succumbed to Dutch elm disease. The other large trees near the house are also gone, and have been replaced with red maples and an oak. The farm was a dairy farm since it started, with hogs in the smaller out buildings at one time. They were converted into calf barns as the dairy herd was expanded. There was a very large hen house with laying boxes. We picked and sold dozens and dozens of eggs. We grew corn, hay, soy beans, and oats on the tillable land. There were large pasture areas due to the creek, sink holes, and large oak woods on the property. Those areas remain today. The present barn is not the original barn, and was rebuilt sometime in the early 1900's from what I know. It has been repaired by Amish men because they are the ones that understand how it had been constructed. The inside of the barn was remodeled to allow for more milking, installed a pipe line, and gutter cleaners. My mother had it covered in white steel and the doors rebuilt to preserve it. It continues to be a beautiful place that the entire family takes care of.

In 1971 I was in junior high. We participated in all chores, the gardening, raising whatever livestock was there, and learned how to do many things for maintenance, how to grind feed, how to drive tractors, unloaded more hay than I care to remember, and mowed a lot of lawn. The cows and their care took priority. They had names, personalities, and could run home from the pastures very quickly if they heard a silage unloader go on after the new silos were constructed! Tons of memories, and we continue to make more with the current grandchildren and great grandchildren.