Artists Jeff Hagen and Terri Schultz in the gallery space.
Some of the“ small, quiet, nonpolluting, lowtraffic” businesses that the Schultzes hope to welcome include artists, writers, craft makers, gardeners, and graphic designers.
While their farm dates back to the late 1800s, the amenities that future tenants will enjoy are anything but antiquated, with enterprise-level fiber Internet to make work efficient and full backup generators to leave no lag during power outages. The farm is also slated to receive an added septic system, a central fire alarm system, and upgraded parking.
Two of the Schultzes’ three children, Abe and Lucy Schultz, often can be found on the farm spearheading construction and renovation projects. Their son Nick Schultz owns Brown County Coffee. Jim said that because he and Terri have spent the past 41 years improving the Greasy Creek Road farmstead and being involved with local public construction projects,“ at this point it’ s just in our blood.”
Similarly, it’ s nothing new for the Schultzes to share the farm with other artists. The couple has welcomed renters into an updated farmhouse on the property for more than 30 years.
Terri said they’ ve never had to search for tenants because,“ there’ s no shortage of folks around here looking for somewhere nice and affordable to rent.” So, over the years when the Schultzes happened upon creative individuals looking for housing, who shared their love of gardening and clean living, tenants tended to stay for a very long time.
Artists Jeff Hagen and Pamela Keech currently rent the farmhouse. Hagen said the Schultzes“ making this affordable is what brought me in.” Hagen is a former art teacher who has published several books and creates watercolor art. Keech, a historic curator for several museums, creates collage art and sculpture.
The work of the farm’ s three artists is on display in a freshly renovated gallery that once served Jim’ s electric business. The trio welcomed the public this October for the gallery’ s first Back Roads of Brown County Studio Tour.
“ I really don’ t think the gallery would be nearly this good without all of us here together,” Terri said.
The Schultzes said while they believe small art communities offering affordable housing stand to benefit residents, artists, and the community alike— seeking approval for what they’ re calling an“ art incubator” felt intimidating.
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