Ohio's Outstanding Century Farm Award's Program
Hupman Family Farm
5778 Route 36 East
Greenville, 45331
Phone: (513) 548-4554
Darke County
James R. and Rosalie Hupman, owners and still living on the farm.
The original farm was 182 acres founded by Samuel Moses Hupman who acquired the landOctober 1, 1868. He came from Pennsylvania looking for new land to farm and forests to provide timber. Samuel raised wheat, rye, oats, corn, hay and sugar cane.
He also raised chickens and sold eggs. This tradition of having an egg route has continued today. At 72 years of age, James and Rosalie still operate an egg delivery route and sell fresh eggs as far away as Dayton. Several of their customers have bought eggs from them for more than 50 years. They deliver more than 60 cases per week.
The family also has a long and extensive connection with cattle. Samuel had the distinction of raising and selling the largest bull in the history of Cincinnati. Through the years, the Hupman family has been very active with the Hereford breed. The first Hereford cattle were brought onto the farm in 1923 when 101 head from western state herds were shipped here to start the Hupman family Hereford herd. James and Rosalie's daughters, Mary and Ruth, were both Buckeye Polled Hereford Queens and the family has hundreds of ribbons and trophies they have won with their Hereford cattle, both at state competitions and national shows. James received the Buckeye Polled Hereford Association Hall of Honor award in 1985.
Although the family dispersed their Hereford herd in 1985, James has been slowly rebuilding the herd in anticipation of passing this along to the next generation.
The original homestead built by Samuel M. Hupman is still serving as the home of James and Rosalie today. Although it has been vinyl sided to protect it from the elements, the interior hasbeen historically maintained. The original smokehouse used by the founder is still standing today and serves as a storage shed and several other older buildings, including a unique drive-through corn crib, are maintained and used. James and Rosalie's son, John, and his wife Kathy, operate a 1,400 acre cash grain operation that includes the land in the original farm.
The family still has the original deed for the land, Certificate #3476, signed on September 16, 1833 by then President Andrew Jackson, deeding the land to the original owner, William Westfall who subsequently sold it to Samuel Moses Hupman.
As to why they have preserved their farm heritage, the Hupman family said: "We need to protect our farms from foreign buyers and big businesses who buy the farm as an investment. A farm is not to be used as a landfill or a tax writeoff or a new site for a shopping mall. Ohio is home to many beautiful farms and their presence needs to be seen and felt in the heart of all Buckeyes."