Fair Winds Farm History

Fair Winds Farm is celebrating over 33 years of horse-powered, family farming!

Jay, Janet, Bekah and Erica Bailey moved to Fair Winds Farm in October of 1978, 2 months before Reuben was born. The farm was owned by Claude Tate, whose family had been there since ~1920. Claude, then in his 80’s, wanted to be sure that the farm remained in agriculture. He leased the farm to us but stayed on in the farmhouse for 2 years until his health dictated that he go into a nursing home. We heard some wonderful stories about the farm and its history, though he was bitter about the ‘biznification’ of agriculture in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. Curiously, Claude would never tell us the name of the farm. At his death, Claude willed the farm to the Earth Bridge Community Land Trust, who in turn extended an 89-year lease to Jay and Janet.

Jay and Janet decided to call the farm Fair Winds after a line from a Gordon Bok song with the words “Where you go, go well, and a fair wind home.” We later found check stubs with the name “Good Luck Farm” printed on them. Claude apparently didn’t think that the name applied (his father had named the farm)! Thus we unknowingly continued the general feeling of the original name while broadening the scope.

Back row, L to R: John, Mary Diane, Thor, Bekah, Todd, Jay
Front row: Janet, Evan, Mayah