The farm has been in the family since 1882 when Bob’s grandfather came here with his new bride, whose family lived on the adjacent farm. In 1970, Bob and Barb, themselves newlyweds, began their farming career on the same land as Grandpa and Grandma Gillies.
They started out with a few head of cattle and then quickly added hogs to the farming mix. The hogs won out and the enterprise grew rapidly. In addition to farming, both worked off the farm.Bob was a sales rep for barn equipment and Barb had a career in data processing.
In 1989, they started their own barn equipment dealership. With the help of their three sons, this business grew until they sold it in 2002. With hog prices and markets rapidly declining, this part of the business also wrapped up.
Now, what to do with the land and barns? In 2011, Bob and Barb planted their first 600 plants of lavender. Varieties included Grosso, Phenomenal, Hidcote, Munstead, Seal, Sachet, Melissa, and Violet Intrigue.
Bob and Barb are now grandparents to five wonderful grandchildren of their own. There have been lots of changes since 1882 when the Gillies family first settled on the farm.
