7 February 2024
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW) — In the 1880s, Cameron Peirce’s great-great-great-grandfather bought what is now their family farm over a century later. He is the fifth generation, and his son Connor plans to take over after.
“We have the original deed to the property,” Cameron said. “And so it changed hands, like it came from the railroad, and it changed hands a couple of times really quickly. And then it got into my ancestor’s name of Eugene Peirce.”
It began as one quarter, then they added another across the road shortly after. Since then, they have expanded the operation.
“So from that point, he lived in Hutchinson and just bought the property out here,” Cameron said. “And then, at some point, they built a house out here and settled out here. And so it’s yeah, it’s kind of cool to know the history about it.”
Cameron says each generation has had a hand in expanding the farm, adding buildings, and improving the operation.
“We have pretty much focused on just no-till farming and regenerative farming, trying to do a lot of cover crops and a wide diversity of crops,” Cameron said.
Cameron says he, his wife, and two sons moved to the farm about eight years ago for the experience.
“It’s the responsibility of maintaining things and building things up is kind of a weight on your shoulders because you feel like when you assume the responsibility of taking over a farm that you want it to be successful, and you want it to grow,” Cameron said. “I mean, there’s obviously those years that aren’t that great but moving down here has been, been pretty cool.”
Connor Peirce, Cameron’s son, works at the farm full-time.
“The pride thing is, we have other fields, but these two quarters right here, there’s just something different about when you’re planting or harvesting these two quarters,” Connor said. “There’s just something different about it. Those fields are just a little bit more exciting than the other ones just because of the history.”
Each day is different on the job.
“You get to work with Mother Nature, I get to work with both of my boys and my wife, and I don’t have to punch a time card,” Cameron said. “I don’t have to work for anybody else but myself, and so that’s pretty nice.”
The farm gives Cameron a sense of connection to the men and women who paved the way before him.
Courtesy: Jeanne Peirce
Courtesy: Jeanne Peirce
“I’m really close with my aunts and uncles that grew up here, and, of course, my dad and my grandfather,” Cameron said. “When he passed away, that was before we got married, and he knew that I was going to end up here on the farm, and so nothing made him happier than that.”
As the farm has grown, the family has been taking pride in their farming practices.
“And so we do our best to pass it down to the next generation in better condition than what we’ve had it,” Cameron said.
“I think for this area, we’re unique because we have such a wide variety of cash crops that we grow; we also do cover crops,” Connor said. “There’s several people that do that, but most farmers don’t quite have as much diversity as we have.”
Cameron’s grandpa built a grain elevator on the property in 1947 and was the first seed dealer in Reno County. They still use the building today.
Courtesy: Jeanne Peirce
Peirce Farms on Feb. 2, 2024 (KSN Photos)
Cameron and Connor both say they love what they do.
“You’re just going nonstop,” Connor said. “I thoroughly enjoy that. I love the pace of it. And I love you know, doing your own thing. I mean, I have to answer to a boss, but we don’t have to punch in like an 8 to 5 job. I love the flexibility.”
The farm is full of memories. Connor works with his brother Hayden on the weekends and has grown up working with family.
“Myself and my brother and my cousins, we would build tree houses and have a fort, and we ride bikes everywhere,” Connor said. “And then, that would turn into go-carts and then four-wheelers. We have good friendship from that. And really, my cousins are like my brothers.”
The seventh generation is just getting started. Connor and his wife have a baby girl.
“I guess for my kids, I mean, yeah, it’d be great if that’s what they want to do, but I’ll never force them to farm if they don’t want to,” Connor said.
If you would like to nominate a person or business for Positive Connections, fill out KSN’s online contact form.