On a ridge northwest of Westby, windchimes provide a soundtrack to an otherwise quiet life of farming. Tall, old pine trees that have stood for generations dot the property line of the Holen family farm on Jore Road.
The Holen farmstead has a bit of everything: sheep, chickens, turkey, cattle, barn cats, house dogs, and a pair of parrots – just enough to keep Todd and Michelle Holen busy.
It wasn’t always that way.
The Holens have been working on reviving the farm that has been in the family for 142 years. They purchased it from Todd’s uncle Raymond Holen’s estate back in November of 2022.
At the time of purchase, there was no livestock. Uncle Ray had stopped milking cows decades ago to focus on crop farming.
HOLEN FARM TIMELINE
But the whole Holen story begins in 1880 when an immigrant named Hans H. Holen left Norway to come to America.
In 1884, Hans purchased 80 acres. Three years later, his son, also Hans, took the farm over at the age of 19.
Hans then handed over the reins to his son Oscar in 1920.
The farm exchanged generations once again in 1965 when Oscar’s son Raymond took over the dairy, poultry, and tobacco operation.
Raymond would then work the land for the next 50 years, nearly up until the day he died on May 28, 2022 at the age of 87.
THE RAYMOND ERA
During Raymond’s lifetime, the farm made headlines.
In 1954, the Holen family farm was the site of the Tri-State Breeders Cooperative’s first calf to be born as a result of artificial insemination for the Tri-State Breeders Cooperative. Another milestone occurred in 1985, Raymond was presented with a Century Farm award at the Wisconsin State Fair.
But for the most part, Raymond’s family remembers him for his work ethic. In addition to tending to the farm, he worked at Accelerated Genetics and Beaver Basement.
“He was 87 [years old] carrying buckets of gravel,” said Todd.
“I remember telling him ‘you should retire, Ray,” said Marilyn, Raymond’s sister. “But that’s all he knew.”
FUTURE OF THE FARM
Today, the farm is in it’s next generation. Todd and Michelle purchased 34 acres of the original 80-acre parcel. Another member of the family owns the rest.
Todd and Michelle are joined by their next generation and the generation after as they share the 1940’s-era home with a son, daughter-in-law, and their grandchildren.
So far, Todd and Michelle have added a grove of fruit of fruit trees, a booming strawberry patch, raspberry bushes, a supply of horseradish, amongst other vegetables to keep their family fed.
That’s the main objective for their farm. To sustain themselves, not to necessarily make a profit, but to be able to afford the bills.
“I understand why some of the smaller farmers don’t make it, because the government does not make it easier for you. You have to figure out how to turn some of it into profit or they’re taxing you like crazy.”
A source of income for the family is selling and butchering beef and lamb. They’re working on building up their herd so that someday they might turn a profit.
“We’re definitely not at the point right now where we’re making money with butchering and the sheep. We’re getting there. We’re starting to get there.”
But something is still missing.
BEES, PLEASE
“We would really like to have bees,” said Michelle. The Holens say they have land available for a beekeeper to set up honeybee hives. It would be a welcome addition to their growing vision.
