Gillespie Family History
Back in 1938 a family of nine moved from Eastern Colorado to this wonderful valley of Paonia, Colorado.
This 1921 picture shows George “Mike” and Margaret Gillespie who moved their family of 7 children in 1938 to Paonia. They were the original Gillespie family on The Living Farm.
This is the Gillespie Children on the farm. Jim, the next generation to run the farm, is the tall boy in the front row. Jim has 3 older sister and 3 younger brothers.
This is Jim on his horse in front of the old two story house that was down by the road.
This is a picture of Jim’s house on the original farm, acquired in 1938. Jim built a new house in 1970. In the lower portion of the picture is
the current school house where the students live. The school house property was acquired in 2010.
Our History
The Living Farm is a 130 acre regeneratively managed family farm, with an additional 80 acres under lease. This land was first purchased in 1938 by Margaret and Mike Gillespie, the first generation to begin building what would become a lasting family legacy.
Margaret and Mike raised seven children on the farm. Their oldest son, Jim, married Marcella and carried the farm forward for many years. Together they raised four children, Ross, Ed, Tom, and Peggy. Their son Tom became the next owner of the farm, continuing the work of caring for the land and livestock.
Tom married Lynn in 1985, and together they raised three children, Jenny, Mike, and Ben, the fourth generation connected to this farm. Today, Tom, Lynn, Jenny, and Mike actively work on the farm. In 2021, Mike married Marissa, and they are now raising the fifth generation, their two sons Kevin and James, on this same land.
Lynn & Tom
Ben, 4th Generation Farmer
Farmer Michael
Jenny
The farm has always centered around pasture. The fields are managed for hay production and for grazing cattle and horses. Today the farm also includes a flock of sheep and laying hens. Greenhouses and vegetable gardens provide food for the family and support the year round CSA.
In recent years, the work of the farm has expanded beyond its fences. Through online gardening courses and a YouTube channel, The Living Farm now shares practical, soil based growing methods with families around the world, helping others learn how to grow food and pass those skills down through their own generations.
For nearly a century, this land has supported one family. Our goal is to leave it stronger for the next. As we look ahead, our commitment remains simple. We will continue to care for this land in a way that builds healthy soil, raises strong animals, and grows nourishing food for our family and our community. Each generation learns not only how to farm, but why it matters. By working together on this land and teaching others to grow their own food, we hope to pass down both the ground beneath our feet and the knowledge to tend it well.