When Fred Habekost, Jr. speaks of his family farm being "homegrown"; he's totally correct. Every building on the farm has been constructed of framing materials cut from trees raised on the farm. He is only the third generation to operate this farm, which has been in his family since 1889.

His grandfather, Henry Habekost, bought 80 acres of farmland in what was then Montgomery County on Oct. 22, 1889. Although born in Germany, Henry was not the oldest son in his family and thus stood little chance of inheriting his family's farm. His only option was joining the German army, so he found a sponsor and sailed to America, settling in the southwest part of Ohio.

He worked as a farmhand, saving enough money to buy a farm of his own. He paid $5,000 for the 80 acres, putting $1,667 as a down payment and financing the remaining $3,333 to be paid in two installment payments at 6% interest. He worked the farm the rest of his life, living to the age of 90, adding additional acreage and raising a family. He tore down a brick house and built the current homestead, the main barn, a tobacco barn and numerous other buildings, which still stand and are used today.

The house was constructed in 1910 and included an ultra-modern convenience for that time, an inside bathroom. Although electricity wasn't available yet, Henry knew it would be someday, and so the house was planned so electricity could be added. The house cost $5,000 to build but was big enough for two families to live in.

The barn was built four years earlier and is one of the largest in southwest Ohio. It is still used in the family's hog operation today.

Fred and wife Donna, and son Hank, operate the 200 acre cash grain and hog operation today. Fred Habekost, Sr. took over the farm in 1954 when Henry died and Fred Jr. took over in 1980. An additional 80 acre farm, which Fred and Donna own through Donna's family, will be a century farm in 1997.