Breathing Life into a Historic Farm

By Angie Stuehrenberg

This Friday meet Tyler Gough and his wife, Gentry McDufee, first generation farmers in Wayne County, Indiana. In 2023, the couple purchased an 18-acre historic farm where they plan to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, install a nut grove and fruit orchard, raise heritage breed animals on a small scale, and grow flowers and native plants. Their passion is food, and Tyler and Gentry feel there is nothing more satisfying than providing good food for their family and community.

The couple’s journey started when their family rented a home, and their landlord did not allow gardens to be planted. Eager to teach their young children gardening skills and the benefits that come with it, they started a community garden. Tyler then had the idea to provide garden plots to people with the understanding that they would also provide produce for those who do not have growing space or the means to buy fresh produce for their families. This turned into farming for a non-profit and, for the past 12 years, Tyler and Gentry have worked at Indy Urban Acres growing hundreds of thousands of pounds of beautiful fruits and vegetables, all delivered to food pantries in Indianapolis. 

From Dream to Reality

After using a direct farm ownership loan from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to purchase their 18-acre farm, Tyler and Gentry are excited to breathe life into the historic farm once again. Farm ownership loans offer up to 100 percent financing and are a valuable resource to help farmers and ranchers purchase or enlarge family farms, improve and expand current operations, increase agricultural productivity, and assist with land tenure to save farmland for future generations.

Tyler and Gentry also secured an operating loan from FSA to help make their dream a reality. Operating loans can be used to purchase livestock, seed, and equipment. It can also cover farm operating costs and family living expenses while a farm gets up and running.

“USDA programs have impacted our operation very much. We wouldn’t have had the ability to buy our farm without the help of our FSA loan officer, Bridgette Wanhainen, Henry County FSA. She is our hero,” said Gentry.  “She not only helped us navigate the entire process but advised us in selecting the correct loans to fit our operation, and most of all was able to see our vision and be excited about the future of our farm.”

Revitalizing the Soil

Bringing life and balance to the soil was the largest challenge for Tyler and Gentry in their first season. To combat the issue, they have implemented the first steps in a cover crop rotation, planted perennial native pollinator habitat, and will be working on invasive plant removal in forested areas.

“We have also received amazing support and advice from people who work for soil and water conservation districts, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Urban Soil Health,” said Tyler. “We are especially grateful for the support we’ve received from their staff, Elli Blaine, Cara Bergschneider, Kevin Allison, and Meghan Ayers. We look forward to building further relationships with the amazing people who work for these programs to support farmers.”

Tyler and Gentry’s future goals and plans for the operation are to provide a space to learn, collaborate, and enjoy great food with the community and neighboring farmers. They would love to be able to include programming that uses the historic venue and functional buildings to teach historic methods of farming, food preservation and textile production, alongside new innovations. 

Tyler and Gentry recommend other new farmers reach out to USDA for assistance in getting started, expanding or sustaining a farm operation.