High View Farm, in Harrison, Maine,
has been in my family since 1810, I just learned that from my father.
He’s
almost the historian my late grandfather was (even though he would never
admit it). To grow up on such a farm is to be a part of
it. Whether I’m in Ohio or in Maine, the farm will be
with me, it’s in my blood. I have always felt the
magnificent draw from the earth, and I promise if you visit High View Farm,
you will too.
The
woods have always been a magical place for me. There’re
nearly 80 acres of wooded land that has been managed over the years.
It grows and changes with every walk I take. It
has a mind of its own and will never belong to anyone.
Just when I think I know it by heart, something new presents itself or is
shown to me. The woods can teach us so much if we just
be still and let it. Walking by the mayflower patch, I
picture my Grandmother with her walking stick. She
pushes the old leaves away to show me her secret spot.
Wading on the edge of the bank with my brother as Papa makes his way up the
brook with the worms that we dug for him. Sitting with
Pa and the team as the boys cut down the biggest Christmas
tree. These are just a few of the memories this wood has
to offer.
To visit the farm in the warmer months
you would see a “working farm”, there’s always a bustle.
The fields have been mowed for hay, plowed for crops and pastured to
feed our dairy cows and horses. You can accompany the
team past old foundations of previous farms. The
original buildings burned in the 1920’s. High View
Farm’s present buildings were built in 1986. The barn
itself was quite an under taking, being built by family and friends alone.
“One Cow Ice Cream Co.” originated at High View Farm.
We used all the finest ingredients and we were the first farm in
Maine to make it “from the cow to the cone”. We sold the
company to Crystal Spring Farm in Oxford, Maine, where you can still get
that “One Cow Ice Cream Co.” treat.
Presently the farm is supporting a
herd Belgian Draft Horses and various standard breed borders.
Our Belgian herd sire
Konstanty’s Korry
has his first offspring just a pasture away. One of the
things I love about the farm; it is always changing. My
mum just recently decided she wanted to make butter and a Guernsey Cow
showed up in the tie up. Every girl wants a riding horse
so there a few of those as well. Not to mention the
pigs, rabbits, chickens…
I have recently realized the farm is
not just about the land. If it wasn’t for the people
that work it every day it would cease to exist. The
family that has run this farm is very dear. When do
those early mornings, late nights and physical labor pay off?
Well, all you have to do is catch a glimpse of my father’s eyes as he
is driving his team of horses pulling a wagon full of first timers through
“His Land”. The pride that emanates from him is as quiet
as the tall pines, but if you are lucky you will see it.
High View Farm is my fathers Dream and he has included all of us in it: his
wife and their children, her parents and their family, my brother and his
family. Actually the list goes on and on and that’s
where the pay off is, just sharing the dream. My fondest
and dearest memories were created on this farm.
Please come and feel the wonder,
silence, peace, and joy it has to offer. You’re welcome
to be a part of the dream your life will not be the same.
written
by our daughter Lisa Winslow Roesing who now resides in
South
Russell, Ohio with her husband Steve and daughter Abbie.
