Fox Run Farm’s story began in 1900 when Joe and Fannie Hroch purchased 10 acres of land, complete with the big red barn and farmhouse. Their hard work laid the foundation for over a century of farming, resilience, and family tradition.
Joe ran a butcher shop in town while Fannie managed the farm, tending to crops and livestock while raising their three daughters. When Joe passed away in 1909, Fannie continued improving and expanding the farm on her own, maintaining the land until her passing in 1934. Their daughter Bessie and her husband, Bill Kovar, carried the torch forward, growing the farm into a much larger operation. They raised cattle, hogs, chickens, ducks, and geese, while also cultivating traditional crops. They weathered the Great Depression with sheer determination, ensuring the farm remained a reliable source of food for their family and community.
Life on the farm required hard work and resourcefulness. Bessie and Bill milked cows, collected eggs, grew vegetables, butchered meat, and even saved feathers for bedding and dusters. While their son Leo left the farm to pursue his education, their other son Leonard remained, carrying on the family’s farming legacy. Together, they made significant improvements, including moving a historic schoolhouse from Pleasant Hill to the farm in 1966 and relocating a second barn.
In 1981, Leo’s daughter Yolanda and her husband Larry moved from Philadelphia to the farm. Despite their city roots, Larry’s agricultural education and their eagerness to embrace farm life led them to raise four children in Brainard: Kirstin, Caleb, Colton, and Casey. The farm saw many changes during this time. Leo and his wife Martha returned in 1989 to join their daughter and son-in-law, helping modernize the operation. Together, they upgraded buildings, established a vineyard, and cleared aging structures to make way for new opportunities.
As the needs of older generations changed, portions of the land and cattle were sold, and the farm adapted. Despite being smaller in acreage, it has grown in population, with four generations now calling it home—the most in our 125-year history.
Larry and Yolanda expanded housing by moving two additional homes onto the farm. They introduced new crops, including grapes, apples, pears, berries, watermelons, and vegetables. Recently, we’ve continued the tradition of diversification by adding bees and flowers, ensuring the farm continues to evolve while staying rooted in tradition.
Each generation has brought flexibility and creativity, allowing us to sustain the land while exploring new ventures. Younger generations are encouraged to experiment with new crops and enterprises, backed by the wisdom and experience of those before them. Today, Jett, the youngest member of our family, is growing up on the farm—something that hasn’t happened since Leo was a child. He dreams of continuing the farm’s legacy and has already led efforts to return animals to the land.
Beyond those who live here, our family in Lincoln has played an essential role in our farm’s success. Though only six people currently reside on the farm, ten more family members in Lincoln are deeply involved, stepping in during grape harvests, CSA distributions, and major farm projects. Their support has been invaluable, strengthening our family bond and ensuring the farm’s future.
Our farm is more than just land—it’s a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Here’s to another 100 years of Fox Run Farm.
Joe ran a butcher shop in town while Fannie managed the farm, tending to crops and livestock while raising their three daughters. When Joe passed away in 1909, Fannie continued improving and expanding the farm on her own, maintaining the land until her passing in 1934. Their daughter Bessie and her husband, Bill Kovar, carried the torch forward, growing the farm into a much larger operation. They raised cattle, hogs, chickens, ducks, and geese, while also cultivating traditional crops. They weathered the Great Depression with sheer determination, ensuring the farm remained a reliable source of food for their family and community.
Life on the farm required hard work and resourcefulness. Bessie and Bill milked cows, collected eggs, grew vegetables, butchered meat, and even saved feathers for bedding and dusters. While their son Leo left the farm to pursue his education, their other son Leonard remained, carrying on the family’s farming legacy. Together, they made significant improvements, including moving a historic schoolhouse from Pleasant Hill to the farm in 1966 and relocating a second barn.
In 1981, Leo’s daughter Yolanda and her husband Larry moved from Philadelphia to the farm. Despite their city roots, Larry’s agricultural education and their eagerness to embrace farm life led them to raise four children in Brainard: Kirstin, Caleb, Colton, and Casey. The farm saw many changes during this time. Leo and his wife Martha returned in 1989 to join their daughter and son-in-law, helping modernize the operation. Together, they upgraded buildings, established a vineyard, and cleared aging structures to make way for new opportunities.
As the needs of older generations changed, portions of the land and cattle were sold, and the farm adapted. Despite being smaller in acreage, it has grown in population, with four generations now calling it home—the most in our 125-year history.
Larry and Yolanda expanded housing by moving two additional homes onto the farm. They introduced new crops, including grapes, apples, pears, berries, watermelons, and vegetables. Recently, we’ve continued the tradition of diversification by adding bees and flowers, ensuring the farm continues to evolve while staying rooted in tradition.
Each generation has brought flexibility and creativity, allowing us to sustain the land while exploring new ventures. Younger generations are encouraged to experiment with new crops and enterprises, backed by the wisdom and experience of those before them. Today, Jett, the youngest member of our family, is growing up on the farm—something that hasn’t happened since Leo was a child. He dreams of continuing the farm’s legacy and has already led efforts to return animals to the land.
Beyond those who live here, our family in Lincoln has played an essential role in our farm’s success. Though only six people currently reside on the farm, ten more family members in Lincoln are deeply involved, stepping in during grape harvests, CSA distributions, and major farm projects. Their support has been invaluable, strengthening our family bond and ensuring the farm’s future.
Our farm is more than just land—it’s a testament to perseverance, innovation, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Here’s to another 100 years of Fox Run Farm.
