In 1989 , Bonnie ’ s husband suffered his first heart attack and life on the farm changed . In 1995 , all the cattle were sold and Bonnie ’ s role was now a full time care taker . Junior received a heart transplant in 1998 . With her vigilant care and prayers , she has been blessed with 14 more years with her best friend . She and Junior have one daughter , Lisa , and two sons , Alan & Jeff .
William “ Bill ” Ingram grew up on the family dairy farm near Sistersville , in Tyler County West Virginia . The original acreage was purchased by his grandfather , William J . Tracy , in 1893 . His grandfather built the existing barn in 1904 . Bill ’ s father continued the farming tradition , and in 1961 , Bill and his late wife , Joanne , bought the farm , which has now grown to a total 325 acres .
Bill and his late wife have been members of the Pursley Church of Christ for more than fifty years . He and Joanne raised four children . Joanne worked fulltime as a registered nurse and for many years worked night shift at Sistersville General Hospital because this allowed her the time required for farm and family . Bill saw dramatic changes in the dairy
milk production process and equipment over the years . During these years , Bill increased the dairy herd size to 40 head and converted to a totally Holstein herd . An additional silo was constructed in the early 1960s . In 1961 , the farm converted to a bulk tank process for milk storage . In 1968 , a glass pipeline milker was installed .
In 1977 , the dairy was discontinued . Bill concentrated on raising corn and began raising beef cattle . Leasing property from Union Carbide , he raised corn on a total of 150 acres .
About twelve years ago , Bill sold his beef cattle and is now semi-retired . Currently , he rents his pasture land for beef cattle grazing , and maintains fence on 125 acres of pasture land . With the help of family he continues to put up 75 acres of hay annually , which is sold to regular customers for use by a variety of livestock .
Bill ’ s resumé of community involvement is too long to fully list , but includes : 50 + years of Farm
see Winners , page 15
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 9