Rose Apple Acres Farm is comprised of 52 acres of fields and woods on the picturesque East Hill Rd. of Troy, Vermont. Having once been the center of a five hundred acre dairy farm, the house and barn are now home to Jay, Camilla, and son Courtney, their animals, and an extensive collection of antique farm machinery.
     Among the animals: there are two Brabant Belgian horses-- Anita and son Jens; JoJo-- a retired Standardbred horse; Little Man-- the shetland pony; and five dairy goats. Some years we may raise some pigs for the freezer, or turkeys for Thanksgiving. We also maintain a vegetable garden, and numerous flower beds and apple trees (from which we make cider in the fall using our International one-lunger engine driving a home-built apple grinder). There never seems to be time to get bored here at the farm!
     Besides blacksmithing, Courtney has been collecting antique and vintage farm machinery. Some of this collection is still used, demonstrating how farming was done in the early part of the 20th century. Highlights include a Massey-Harris grain binder and a Dion threshing machine. Other elements of the collection include various horse-drawn implements, and carriages and sleighs. In the future, I hope to have a "virtual tour" of the collection.
     Please enjoy the pictures from around the farm, and stop by periodically to see seasonally updated photos.

Mr. Jens







A few of the goats.

The farm house, built and first occupied by the Henri Fournier family, circa 1910. Many families have since lived in this house, and farmed these lands. We have been pleased to get acquainted with quite a few of the children who grew up here, and enjoy hearing their stories.
The barn is a very large New England barn of post and beam construction, and measures 157' long by 33' wide for the main section, and has a 20' shed roof type cow stable in the back. As you can see, the size of this structure makes it hard to get a complete picture of it. The barn now houses the horses and goats, equipment and hay.
Some more goats, enjoying a warm day in May.
Ahhh yes! This would be the back of the barn!
These are our beloved collie dogs. Starting from the left is Star, her mother Pippen (who is sadly no longer with us), Aunt Lady, and dear Mollie the matron (who recently passed away at the age of 13). The newest member of the family is Pepper, out of Star. He is pictured below.

WOOF!
Run Pepper! Run!

Lady and Star relaxing on the fresh snow.
Lady is really taking it easy!
The barn is also home to many families of barn swallows in the Summer-time. They seem to be able to make their nests anywhere!
The threshing machine in operation, on a cool, late October day. We were threshing winter rye that year. This year we have oats and spring wheat growing. The machine is belted to a 1940's Case SC tractor, and works wicked neat!

This is another view of the threshing outfit. As you can see, this is not a "one man job".

Our 1931 Ford Model AA truck, bringing in firewood to the shed.

This is Anita. She's doing pretty well, for an old girl.
Here are Jens, JoJo, and Little Man the pony. They are just out standing in their field!
Mollie, Star, and Pepper relaxing on the front porch.
This is our view to the north during Summer. Click on the picture to see the whole panorama!
Back to top