Deer Track Farm does not have a long and storied agricultural history to share with you. It is more a story of building something special from where there was nothing. A journey of endless pleasures that continues today.
Deer Track Farm evolved from a passion for the great outdoors, the love of building things, and the desire for a little piece of land. I grew up in the Maryland suburbs and did normal suburban lifestyle things. Spending 4 years in the Navy, I was discharged in 1972 and married in 1973. By 1975, I had settled on a quarter acre lot, started restoring the existing house, and established a family. My first son, Keith, was born in 1975 and my youngest son, John, in 1977.
Still having a desire for a piece of land to work, I purchased 22 acres in Spotsylvania County, VA in 1979. The land was over grown as no one had touched it for over 20 years, with the exception of the beavers who built ponds out of the creek. This land became a weekend project, 100 miles from home, over the next 17 years.
Soon after purchasing the land I brought my father here to show him what I had bought. Driving down the dirt road that ran between cornfields, we parked at the end of the property and fought our way to the center where the charred remains of an old house once stood. I could see in my Father's face he thought his son was nuts for buying this piece of wilderness. It was a little less than a year before he would return. Seeing the progress that had been made on the weekend excursions, my Father was a bit more positive about the land's possibilities. He became a monthly visitor helping with projects as we reclaimed the land from nature until his death in 1990. We had some good times.
In 1991, 42 acres were added, which was adjoining cropland. This wasn't as much work as clearing the original land. However, it took 2 years to get it fenced, pastures established, and a water system installed.
In 1993, 15 weaned Angus calves were purchased. They were bought with the intention of pasturing them all summer, then selling them in the fall. A neighbor and good friend, Charles Carroll, talked me into keeping some over the winter. Charles was the person who always fixed everything that got broken, which was a regular event. We only sold 6 of the calves keeping 8 females and one bull. Strategically, I gave 1 of the heifers to Charles with the request that when he came over to check on his calf, he would check the others. The farm was still a weekend project, and there was a need for someone to keep an eye on the animals. Deer Track Farm was now a commercial cow-calf operation.
In 1994, another 72 acres were added. The only adjoining property available was a tree farm, which presented a real challenge. The trees were harvested, stumps were cleared, pastures were planted, fences were built, and a water system was installed. The farm was still a weekend project, taking another 2 years to complete this addition.
In 1995, our first Hereford bull was purchased from Miguel Garces. Figured if I was going to raise commercial cattle, they should be the best. The Black Baldie calf is the best.
In January 1996 after having spent the last 17 years working on the weekend project, I moved to the farm to live full time. It was a most favorite moment! It was time to become a real working farm and the decision was made to add purebred Hereford cows to the herd. In January, 2 cows and a heifer were purchased from Miguel. In April, at our first VHA Sale, we bought a bred heifer consigned by Rodney and Barbara Phillips of Bay Brook Farm. They even threw in a free bucket with our purchase. I have been friends with Rodney and Barbara ever since. In September, I went to the first Dirt Road Farm sale and bought a bred heifer, Anastasia, the second lot to sell. Randy Owen had his sights on the first lot. In October, I went to the Will-Via/JJJ sale in Mooresville, North Carolina and purchased a lot of good cows. I got more than just good cattle that weekend. I found out how wonderful and warm the people in the cattle business are. I was invited to the sale by Triple J Farm and went down early to help set up. It would be a good learning experience. I met Lavette Teeter on the first day. He treated me like a family member. I still have that feeling of family with many of the people I have met in the cattle business. The help I have received over the past 7 years is truly appreciated.
Rumor has it that the average life expectancy of a cattle breeder is 7 years. I think I'll go past the average. It's still fun learning and working with all the friends I've made. I'll give special thanks to Sid Rogers. He has been a respected mentor to me. He tells me what he thinks, forgives my mistakes, and is always there.
Deer Track Farm has come a long way from the first group of calves purchased in 1993, and I look forward to continuing the journey.
