Rodney’s dad had two brothers, both of whom had their own farms in the area. When Rodney’s dad and his brothers grew up, the farm had several chicken houses and about 40 cows, and they made their living selling eggs and milk. Over the years they began to convert to dairy, and Rodney has been dairy farming all his life. Two of Rodney’s cousins still operate their own dairy farms in South Kirby and are part of Cabot Creamery Cooperative. For years Rodney did everything on the farm himself. Along the way, however, he received some help from his daughter, Christine, but she now has her own family and operates a beef farm in Waterford, Vermont. Rodney’s dad also helped until he passed away at the age of 91. Rodney’s other daughter, Jennifer, has followed a different career path. After many years on his own, Rodney finally decided recently that it was time to get a little assistance, and he now has a part time helper.
Rodney says, “All I ever wanted to do was become a dairy farmer, to have 40 cows and to build a life working outdoors. I still love the work and look forward to it every day.” Rodney’s joy in farming shows. His farm is a beautiful place, his life partner Debra plants flower beds in the spring, and they landscape the property to make it even more lush and appealing. In fact, the Lone Pine Farm has often been featured in photo journals and on Vermont calendars along with several other farms in South Kirby.
