The History Of Hodgin Valley Farm

In years past one or more milk cows were constantly present in order to place milk, butter, cheese, and meat on the table. There was a special "hog pasture" where pigs were raised for their fatback, ham, bacon, tenderloin, and sausage. the preparation of chicken, beef and pork was done entirely here on the farm. There were large draft work horses, riding and buggy horses, mules and oxen. Goats and sheep were kept to help maintain pastures as well as for meat and wool. Today, there is "Bo" large Percheron work horse, as well as beef cattle, several donkeys and a large herd of goats. Excess animals are marketed to help pay the considerable expense of maintaining the farm.

From early times to present farm birds such as bantams,turkeys, chickens, peafowl, geese, and guineas have been reared as a staple for the family table. In the 1950's Phal Hodgin, Sr. began placing bluebird nesting boxes in stratigic places in order to entice the beautiful but (at the time) rare bluebirds to nest and re-populate the farm. Today with approximately 28 bluebird nesting boxes on the farm, the brilliantly colored birds are seen daily year round. April thru August many of these boxes will contain a nest of three to five pale blue eggs or tiny hatchlings. Also on the farm are nesting boxes for bats, owls, mallard ducks, and wood ducks. Each spring Canada geese and Mallards nest and raise their young on Polecat Pond.