The Farm: A History

For our family, the history of the Farm begins in 1976, when my father-in-law, Kent, purchased a home and 11 acres in Meridian, Idaho. He moved his wife and two young sons to the property, which at the time featured only a house and a chicken coop. Over time, Kent built corrals and a barn and began raising Percheron draft horses, eventually competing in pulling competitions across southern Idaho.

My husband, Chance, remembers a childhood filled with farm animals (including a few traumatic chicken butchering sessions!), weekend trips to pulling competitions with his dad, and summers spent tending to sprawling vegetable gardens.

The farm house when the Hodgson’s moved in. 1977

Kent with his team Bob and Tom.

The property is actually made up of twin homes on adjoining acreage, built in 1972 by two local brothers. When Chance and I got married in 2000, we renovated the second home and moved in. Then in 2005, when Chance’s parents retired and moved to Montana, we purchased their home and moved in ourselves while Chance’s brother took over our old house. That’s where we find ourselves today: still on the same land, living on what feels like a bit of a family compound.

The Farmhouse - Spring 2025