FARM HISTORY
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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.
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.
Check out our YouTube Page Isham Family Farm.
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.
The farm is conveniently located 1 mile north of Lake Iroquois, 3.5 miles south of Williston Village, and 10 miles from Burlington, VT.