BACON HILL FARM TOUR
"The
welcome mat’s out, the coffee pot’s on"
History of Welcome Stock Farm
Foster Farm
Data Barn
130 sheep
20 rabbits
130 acres
crops: strawberries
& asparagus
William & Bill Peck reviewing the
numbers with a potential embryo buyer.
Welcome
Stock Farm [Mile 3.6]
Henry Wagman Peck founded this farm in 1836. William Peck,
great-great grandson of Henry Wagman Peck, took over the farm from his father, Willard, in
1964, building a 100-cow free-stall barn
and milking parlor in 1969. Today,
the farm includes a new cow barn, 1150 acres and over 650 cows. William’s sons Neil
and Bill help operate the farm as members of its sixth-generation.
Over the years, the Pecks have embraced new technological advances in agriculture.
Practices such as artificial insemination, super-ovulation, embryo transfer and ultra-sounds are used in the breeding program. They now market frozen embryos to farms in Europe, New Zealand and Japan. This genetics venture helps Welcome Stock stay competitive by producing extra income. In addition global positioning satellites are used on the 900 acres of cropland to pinpoint soil fertility so that manure and fertilizer are applied accurately to protect the environment.
As savvy business operators, the Pecks often find themselves looking for additional ways to expand the farm, whether it be through their land base or herd size. "To be efficient you have to continue to grow," Bill says.
A Foster Lamb
Foster Farm
[Mile 4.4]
Tom
Foster’s parents raised seven children on the income from their 45-cow dairy. By
the 1990s, as milk prices dwindled and equipment and animal expenses increased
substantially, that way of life was no longer feasible for Tom, his wife Carole and their two children, "Dairying is a huge
juggling act," Tom says. "I admire people who can make it work."
Carole Foster and Friends
Tom sold his cows to an Amish family in Pennsylvania, and both he and Carole took jobs off the farm. They did, however, visit their cows in Pennsylvania. In the summer they continued to produce and sell melons and strawberries. An interest in maintaining livestock on the farm resulted in the purchase of 50 sheep. Today they average a flock of 130, primarily of the Polypay breed. The farm produces lamb, sausage and wool products. Carole’s homespun yarns and knitted woolen goods are sold at local farmers markets and craft fairs. She also raises angora rabbits for spinning into premier fiber products. By diversifying, the family plans to remain in farming.
Map2
Welcome Stock Farm
Data Barn
300 cows
350 youngstock
900 crop acres
250 acres pasture, woods and wetlands
6 employees
crops: corn & hay
Foster Yarn
