Back in 1938 a family of nine moved from Eastern Colorado to this wonderful valley of Paonia, Colorado. The Gillespie's purchased a 110 acre farm near the base of Mt. Lamborn. This beautiful farm has raised sheep, pigs, chickens, cows, hay, silage and grains. It has also raised three generations of Gillespie's. The farm represents our lives and lively hood. The Living Farm represents life from the smallest microbe to the largest animals. We believe in nourishing the soil, let the soil nourish the plants and let the plants feed the animals.
Currently on the farm is Jim Gillespie, moved here in 1938. Also living on the farm are;Tom (born here on the farm) and his wife Lynn and there three children Jenny, Mike and Ben (all born here on the farm).
Tom has farmed since he was old enough to walk. He learned how to farm from his grandpa and dad. He is now running the farm and is president of two water boards and one reservoir.
Lynn has run the greenhouses on the farm for the last 21 years. She has grown bedding plants, trees, shrubs, fruits and vegetables. She cans, freezes, dries and root cellars the families food for the year.
Both Tom and Lynn milk. They started with a few milk cows, went to goats and now milk the sheep. Lynn makes cheese, ice cream, yogurt and butter.
Lynn also dyes, spins and knits and weaves the wool from the dairy sheep.
Lynn has written two gardening books. "How To Grow All The Vegetables Your Family Can Eat, Right In Your Own Back Yard" and "Cinder Block Gardens".