History

Explore the History of Isham Family Farm in Vermont

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VERMONT FARMING HISTORY

Isham Family Farm was originally the Murray Homestead, built by some of Williston’s first settlers in 1788, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Jairus David Isham purchased the 108-acre Murray Farm in 1871.

Owned by 5th-Generation Farmer Mike Isham & Wife Helen Weston

Since then, the farm has been passed down through the Isham family and is now owned by fifth-generation farmer Mike Isham with his wife, Helen Weston. Farmer Mike grew up on the farm doing chores and milking cows. Helen grew up in an old farm house in Bristol, VT. She is a retired music teacher who loves working full-time on the farm alongside her husband. Between the two of them, they share 19 generations of Vermont heritage.

Farmer Mike’s parents David and Ginger still live on the farm. David sleeps in the bedroom today where he was born over 89 years ago. The old farm house is home to Mike and Helen, as well as Mike’s parents who live in their own private quarters. 

Mike and Helen Isham smiling together on the family farm in Williston, Vermont.

Farmer Mike and Helen Weston

Conserved for Future Generations

When Mike’s father, David, was a boy, there were 13 dairy farms on a 5-mile stretch of Oak Hill road between the village and Lake Iroquois. When Mike was a boy, there were 6 dairy farms. Today, there are none. In 2002, David Isham chose to conserve the entire farm to ensure that it will always remain a farm for the enjoyment of future generations. As generational farmers and stewards of the land, we offer public hiking trails in addition to our farm activities, allowing others to enjoy the meadows and woods we call home.

Isham Family Farm in Vermont showing family members with early 1900s automobiles in front of the original barn.
Historic sugarhouse at Isham Family Farm in Vermont, shown in the early 1900s during maple sugaring season.
Vintage photo of a young boy holding a calf on Isham Family Farm in Vermont, circa early 1900s.
family portrait at Isham Family Farm in Vermont, with three generations standing in front of the farmhouse and barn.
Farmer driving a blue Ford tractor with a wagon at Isham Family Farm in Vermont during harvest season.
Aerial view of Isham Family Farm in Williston, Vermont during fall foliage, with the barn and Camel’s Hump in the background.

This short documentary about Farmer Mike is directed by Ryan Boera who has been working as an independent filmmaker for five years, previously in Washington D.C., New York City, and now finally in his home state of Vermont. It was made in collaboration with local design group Solidarity of Unbridled Labour. They are producing a series of documentaries on Vermonters changing the way people see the world, to be released later this year. For more information contact: rboera@gmail.com

Family. It's in our name and our hearts.

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