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AGRICULTURESPANNING THE GENERATIONS

Triple Oaks Farm

Rural farming has changed dramatically over the last decade. Fewer and fewer farms are home to several generations. Here you will see the stories of two families who are holding on to the family tradition.

Story by: Cathy AdwellPictures by: Cathy Adwell and Cristen Powers

CA

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TUCKED AWAY in the hills and behind the trees on the northwestern side of Bowling Green, Kentucky is Koostra Farms. Forty years ago it was a 1500 acre cattle farm owned by one family. Today it is split up into three tracts, two of which are owned by descendants of the orig-inal owner. It is no longer a cattle farm, but it has a story to tell. It is a story of a family and their love of agriculture.

Debbie’s Shoulders grandfather, Andrew Koostra started Koostra Farms. Koostra was the local vet-erinarian. Debbie, a veterinarian herself, grew up on the farm. She and her husband purchased the farm from her parents when they got married. Debbie and her husband have three children--Ellie, Carly and E.J. Together they raise a large vegetable garden, one cow, two horses, 24 chickens, six dogs, four

“Growing up in a rural

setting has given me a better work

ethic.”

cats and two birds. Ellie is a freshman at Western Kentucky University. She is seeking a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a concentration in veterinary medicine. She said she doesn’t remember ever wanting to be anything else.Ellie started in 4H when she was in elementary school. She grew up in Warren County Rough Riders (a horseback riding group). In high school she volunteered

to work for a local veterinarian through the 4H Vet assistant pro-gram. She has been at the same veterinarian’s office since. “I have been working since I was 15. Growing up in a rural setting has given me a better work ethic,” said Shoulders.Ellie is carrying on her family’s agricultural tradition.

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TRIPLE OAKS FARM

SPRAWLING ACROSSten thousand acres in the southern region of Warren County, Kentucky is Triple Oaks Farm. In 1967 Joe Neal Ballance founded Triple Oaks Farm with 150 acres. Today the farm primarily pro-duces grain and soybeans for export. But they also grow food for their family and friends.

Joe Neal and his wife Pat have four children. Their son and two of their daughters are full-time employees. Joe Neal’s only nephew and one of his son-in-laws are also employees. Their grandchildren are also active on the farm. They have a daughter, Cristen, who isn’t a full-time employee of the farm.Cristen Ballance Powers and her husband both have jobs outside of farming. They live on the farm and help with some of the tasks of a farm family. “I have always loved growing up on a farm. I moved away to go to hair school but left my heart home. I returned, and wouldn’t

“I am proud to

call myself a farmer’s daughter.”

change it for anything in the world. I love my life. I love my family. I’m very proud of my fa-ther for accomplishing what he has. I am proud to call myself a farmer’s daughter,” said Powers.

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LOCAL RESOURCESSo how can you teach your children about local agriculture if you don’t live on a farm? There are a variety of options in our community. Here are just a few.

COMMUNITY FARMER’S MARKET

CHANEY’S DAIRY BARN

JACKSON’S ORCHARD

Growing the farmers for our future.......

November-March 2319 Nashville Road Bowling Green, Ky.

9191 Nasville RoadBowling Green, Ky.

1280 Slim Island RoadBowling Green, Ky.