BROKEN OAK HILL(R) Dispatches from the heart of Wisconsin At the Farm
Our memberships
American Tree Farm System
Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association
Remembering Bob
Our brother, Bob DeBaun, was one of the original tree farmers at our 47 acres. His passing at age 60 was much too early for a man with so much to offer. But we have lots of memories to share.
A video tribute to Bob's life is available at this link.
MFL Plan
Although there are arguments for not doing so, we have decided to stay in the Managed Forest Law Program. Our new plan for the next 25 years was completed this spring (2011) and can be viewed here.
At the Farm gallery
Check out a few of our favorite photos from the farm.
American Tree Farm System
Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association
Remembering Bob
Our brother, Bob DeBaun, was one of the original tree farmers at our 47 acres. His passing at age 60 was much too early for a man with so much to offer. But we have lots of memories to share.
A video tribute to Bob's life is available at this link.
MFL Plan
Although there are arguments for not doing so, we have decided to stay in the Managed Forest Law Program. Our new plan for the next 25 years was completed this spring (2011) and can be viewed here.
At the Farm gallery
Check out a few of our favorite photos from the farm.
Change comes to the tree farm
For 50 years,
members of the DeBaun family have been coming to the tree farm in Juneau County, Wis., sometimes for just a day or two, sometimes for more than a month. This summer has had a diffe
rent pattern than most. Change has been a part of the scene for all those
years, but with our silver anniversary comes one of the biggest changes of all -- a new house.
We offer a chronicle of the progress through the summer and fall of 2011 as we move toward the opening of a new era at the tree farm. For the latest report, click here.
Here is the list of earlier reports:
May 23: Getting ready for the last day
May 24: This old house comes down.
May 25: Footings for the new house
June 7-8: The floor goes down, walls go up
June 11: Framing progress continues
June 23-24: Raising the roof
July 4-6: Windows and a deck, and work for the owners
July 17-19: Getting wired, checking the trees
July 31-Aug. 2: A look into the future
Aug. 15-17 - Change in the air.
Aug. 25-26 - Progress on siding.
Aug. 29-30 - Siding is finished.
Sept. 7 - Winds of change
Sept. 13 -- Drywall progress.
Sept. 20 -- A family 'inspection'
Sept. 29-30 -- Flooring and woodwork, oh my!
Oct. 4 -- Cabinets are in
Oct. 24-25 -- At last, a fireplace
Oct. 27 -- Final decisions
Nov. 1 -- Hardwood floor gets finish coat
Nov. 8-9 -- An abrupt change in the weather
Nov. 16 -- Heating and cooling (stove and refrigerator)
Nov. 22 -- Change in plans
Nov. 25-28 -- Lots to be thankful for
Dec. 6-7 -- Moving back in picks up
Dec. 20-21 -- A winter cookout
Jan. 5-7 -- Final pieces fitting together
Recalling the early years
Less than a year after we we bought the tree farm in 1961, our dad, Burt DeBaun, was transferred to Kansas City, and a year later to Amarillo, Texas. But despite the distance, we held on to the property through the years, sometimes making just one visit per year. It was a two-day drive from Amarillo, and we would come up for a week or two and mow the place up, check on the woods and reconnect with neighbors, and then have to say good-bye for another 12 months. But it was worth it.
When the family had to get rid of the original kitchen stove that came with the house, Dad wrote a story about the first 25 years of the farm. His story is called The Cookstove.
An archive of previous reports
Consult the At the Farm Index for information and narratives of earlier visits. In the photo at left, three generations work on cutting up a hickory limb. Grandpa Tom watches in the background, Alex the dad provides close supervision and Eli, the youngest, does the work -- life as it should be.
For 50 years, members of the DeBaun family have been coming to the tree farm in Juneau County, Wis., sometimes for just a day or two, sometimes for more than a month. This summer has had a diffe
rent pattern than most. Change has been a part of the scene for all those years, but with our silver anniversary comes one of the biggest changes of all -- a new house.
We offer a chronicle of the progress through the summer and fall of 2011 as we move toward the opening of a new era at the tree farm. For the latest report, click here.
Here is the list of earlier reports:
May 23: Getting ready for the last day
May 24: This old house comes down.
May 25: Footings for the new house
June 7-8: The floor goes down, walls go up
June 11: Framing progress continues
June 23-24: Raising the roof
July 4-6: Windows and a deck, and work for the owners
July 17-19: Getting wired, checking the trees
July 31-Aug. 2: A look into the future
Aug. 15-17 - Change in the air.
Aug. 25-26 - Progress on siding.
Aug. 29-30 - Siding is finished.
Sept. 7 - Winds of change
Sept. 13 -- Drywall progress.
Sept. 20 -- A family 'inspection'
Sept. 29-30 -- Flooring and woodwork, oh my!
Oct. 4 -- Cabinets are in
Oct. 24-25 -- At last, a fireplace
Oct. 27 -- Final decisions
Nov. 1 -- Hardwood floor gets finish coat
Nov. 8-9 -- An abrupt change in the weather
Nov. 16 -- Heating and cooling (stove and refrigerator)
Nov. 22 -- Change in plans
Nov. 25-28 -- Lots to be thankful for
Dec. 6-7 -- Moving back in picks up
Dec. 20-21 -- A winter cookout
Jan. 5-7 -- Final pieces fitting together
Recalling the early years
Less than a year after we we bought the tree farm in 1961, our dad, Burt DeBaun, was transferred to Kansas City, and a year later to Amarillo, Texas. But despite the distance, we held on to the property through the years, sometimes making just one visit per year. It was a two-day drive from Amarillo, and we would come up for a week or two and mow the place up, check on the woods and reconnect with neighbors, and then have to say good-bye for another 12 months. But it was worth it.
When the family had to get rid of the original kitchen stove that came with the house, Dad wrote a story about the first 25 years of the farm. His story is called The Cookstove.
An archive of previous reports
Consult the At the Farm Index for information and narratives of earlier visits. In the photo at left, three generations work on cutting up a hickory limb. Grandpa Tom watches in the background, Alex the dad provides close supervision and Eli, the youngest, does the work -- life as it should be. 