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The Foundation Homestead Story…
It All Starts in the Dirt…
In 1949 Mr. & Mrs. Fred Fish purchased a piece of land south of the township of Cambridge, NE and began to teach their daughter Donna and new son-in-law Vince, the way of farming.
“Dad always said Vince only had one speed and that was full speed ahead. He didn’t know if the equipment would last that long.” ~ Donna
This began the first multigenerational living on what today is now called Foundation Homestead. Fred & Anna Fish lived with the newly weds until their first son was almost a year old. Grandma Anna returned to live with Vince and Donna later when a corner of the over sized and only bathroom was converted into a sleeping quarter for her.
In 2007 a new generation, Abbie and her family, the granddaughter of Vince and Donna Flammang moved onto the property.
“The poor old house was dilapidated from neglectful renters. A match should have probably been lit and the whole place burned down. But that was too much of an ache for my heart.” ~ Abbie
Jason & Abbie and their sons weren’t interested in farming or even homesteading in any way shape or form. Neither were raised on a farm but remembered visiting their grandparent’s farms as children. The reason for moving back to the homeplace was as simple as wanting to raise their children in a small town and there was no better place than back home in their home town of Cambridge where they would be closer to both of their parents.
“Abbie wanted to move as far away from Cambridge as possible when we were first married, but when you start having kids things and priorities change real quick.” ~ Jason
As with all homesteading stories the gateway animal was chickens. The timeline has been lost but the homestead was quickly fully stocked with chickens to supply not only the Benson’s but extended family and friends with fresh farm eggs and meat birds.
In 2017 the homestead brought home the first milk cow Lucy, a pure bred Jersey.
“When dad calls and says get ready I’m coing to pic you up, we’re going to get a cow, ya just go.” ~ Abbie
With the addition of Lucy a not so sublte shift changed the way life was done on the homeplace. Not to something new but to something that had already been. Shortly after Lucy arrived ground was broke to build a new addition onto the old house, Tim & Deb (daughter of Vince and Donna Flammang) were coming to live on the homeplace.
Tim and Deb both have many fond memories of farm life as children. Deb raised on one, Tim visiting his Grandparents in Minnesota.
As time has passed more pure bred Jerseys have been added to the herd. Some purchased from miles away and some born right here in our pasture. We’ve had to say goodbye to some along the way which tugs on the heart strings. Animal husbandry isn’t for the faint of hearts. Not everyone is called to this life path and that’s alright.
“Peace is where God plants a dairy farmer; the community is rich and everyone thrives. ” ~ Foundation Homestead
3+
Generations
Multi-generational living has been a part of our family history since 1949
5+
Our Jersey Herd
So far we have 5 pure bred Jerseys in our herd.
200+
Jars of Milk
The first jar of cold refreshing raw milk was sold out of the Barn Store was in August of 2023.