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Show Page 6, SPECIAL SECTION. LEADER-GARLAN- TIMES, February D I ttm &$ life 17, 1977 I n I i ' I " A mmm-- yz "'. mr-J i P?fe 'J , . of life, but a Howell Valley farmer has turned it into a way of life. With modern life forcing more and more people into the mold of the specialist, the farmer has inevitably followed. But the diversity found on the family farm of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Sorensen is proof that there's still room for the in agriculture. Sorensen apparently believes in another old adage that goes something like, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." And although eggs are a vital part of his livelihood, they aren't his only hope. Sorensen's basket of eggs is currently being filled by about 1,400 laying hens he maintains on the farm. He and his married sons, Barry, who works at Thiokol and helps out on the farm part-timand Bart, who works e on the farm, have carried the process a step farther by getting into the marketing business. "We grade and candle our own eggs here," Sorensen pointed out. Then every Friday a delivery run is made to distribute the six to seven thousand eggs gathered during the week to small stores in Tremonton, Brigham City, Snowville and to some private homes. The Sorensens are in the process of constructing a new building to process their eggs in. The hens are a major part of the farm income at the present time. But, laying hens are only a part of the family farm which was passed on from father to son. "Ever since I've been here The Sorensens also maintain 14 brood sows which provide about 200 market hogs each year. With hogs presently going for around 0 cents a pound, Sorensen said more farmers "are going back" into them. The operation also in eludes about 115 ewes who usually produce aoout 140 percent lamb ratio, provid ing about 150 lambs to be sold each year, along with the wool operation. Then there's the part of the business which no one in the Bear River Valley is doing too well with lately, The Sorensens have about 50 head ot stocK cows ana 250 feeder cattle. 39-4- 'n . MII x. DIVERSITY IS A way of life on the Ray Sorensen family farm in Howell. The Sorensens are involved in a variety of agricultural pursuits ranging from laying because we always seem to hit the market at the right . MMMMMMMManl JLajifciiii -, juihMk hens to beef cattle. One advantage, Sorensen says is that it allows the family to market a product at various times during the year, a necessity for a large family. We commend the service time." He's even thinking of getting some bees next year to make honey. The farm also has two cows to provide milk for the family. cont. on next page I I' - - . we've been diversified," Sorensen said. "Dad came here as a foreman of the Bar M Ranch when the valley was all one big ranch." The Bar M owned about 1,700 i 'ad of cattle and most of ne property but the depression of the 1930's "broke them" Sorensen recalled. His father "held on to what he could.. .cutting back o where he could survive..." '- (with beef). We really haven't lost too much money and loyalty of the officers and directors of our Chamber of Commerce. Their selfless efforts have helped make our valley a better place to live. We welcome Senator Orrin Hatch. His visit and concern are appreciated ! full-tim- J '122 "They're costing us," Sorensen said. But actually he said he has "been pretty fortunate through the years e, iff.' jw-fc"- J IhS'"'!! ... 1. Variety may be the spice - ill, I biMiHi'iniiWii ni.M 'mnJifJi . .ONE FACET OF the Sorensen farm consists of 1,400 laying hens. The Sorensens market the eggs themselves delivering them once a week to stores and some homes. I HARRIS TRUCK & EQUIPMENT CO. |