Last weekend we received a certificate from the Oregon Department of Agriculture recognizing Schlechter Farms as an official Oregon Century Farm. Jim's grandfather, who was an immigrant from Romania, purchased the farm we live on in 1909. In the early 1940s, he sold the farm to Jim's parents, who leased it to him in the 1970s and eventually sold it to him in the late 1990s. There has been a Schlechter growing one crop or another on this land every year for the past one hundred years.
Jim's parents realized the centennial of the farm would occur in 2009 and in their later years, they meticulously gathered all the deeds, mortgages and surveys showing the transfer of the property from father to son to grandson. All we had to do was attach their documents to the application form and submit it. His parents really wanted to witness this amazing milestone, but passed away before it occurred. Jim fulfilled a dream of theirs when he proudly accepted the century farm award (View Certificate).
It's not an easy life, farming. Every Schlechter who has ever planted, irrigated, weeded or harvested the corn, onions, beans, broccoli, wheat, grass seed, squash, celery, pumpkins, peaches and berries that have grown on this farm have helped to earn this distinction with their hard work. Thanks to each one of them.
I'm sure your in-laws were there in spirit! Congrats!
Posted by: danifesto | September 26, 2009 at 03:31 PM
I am also a farm wife and about your age. In 1987 my husband and I bought the family farm that I grew up on. Since then we have hosted a CSA program on the farm, and sold organic vegetables at farmer's markets, stores and restaurants. I can appreciate your hard work. Thanks for holding onto the family farm. I invite you to visit us at http://uwharriefarm.typepad.com
Posted by: Judy McPherson | November 02, 2009 at 02:05 PM