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Loren and Gail Wood with sons Loren Jr., Leslie, Lee,
and younger cousins, Travis and Trevor Barber. Bob Eddy photo.
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Leslie and Alberta Wood began dairying in Shoreham in 1972 on a farm that would be considered small today. Gradually, they increased their land base and modernized their facilities. Twenty years later they owned 639 acres and were milking 90 cows. By conserving the farm with VHCB funding, they were able to reorganize their debt and plan for the next phase, which involved bringing their son Loren and his wife Gail into the business. The herd grew, and in 2000, the Woods purchased a neighboring farm in Orwell, selling development rights on that parcel to the Vermont Land Trust.
Expansion has helped the farm withstand volatile milk prices. The 97-cow tiestall barn was replaced with a 250-cow freestall, and in 2006, the Woods had the opportunity to buy a 243-acre former apple orchard and convert it to forage crops. A VHCB grant for development rights enabled that purchase. Now the Woods own 1,300 acres.
The family has grown too. Today, Loren’s four sons—Lee, Leslie, Lance, and L.J.—are all actively involved on the farm. Loren says: “If you’re in this for the long haul, you’ve got to hang in—and we’re definitely in it for the long haul. We’ve got the land and equipment. My dad was in it for the long haul, and my boys want to be as well.”
- adapted by Ethan Parke from an article written by Doug Wilhelm
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