Dawson Farms | Cranfills Gap, Texas
Some folks may dream of retiring from a lifetime of farming. Not Hank and Annie Dawson.
As Hank neared retirement from a career in the construction industry, he and Annie dreamed of retiring to the country and pursuing their agricultural interests.
“When I got close to retirement, we were looking for a piece of property, and the intent was to be able to enjoy farming and to share that with our kids and grandkids.”
With the help of AgTrust Farm Credit, the Dawsons’ dream came true 10 years ago when they found their perfect property near Cranfills Gap.
A Deep-Rooted History
The couple initially purchased a 40-acre hilltop tract, which was part of the historic Rogstad farm. The Rogstads were one of eight Norwegian families who’d immigrated to Central Texas in the early 1850s, homesteading in an area later known as the Norse Valley.
To expand their acreage, the Dawsons purchased more pieces of the original farm from surrounding landowners, eventually acquiring 120 contiguous acres — enough land for their agricultural enterprises of beekeeping, lavender production and raising red stag deer.
Respectful of the farm’s history, they have maintained early structures on the property, including the Rogstads’ original one-room stone cabin, a hand-dug well and an abandoned residence. The building, which once housed the community’s party-line telephone switchboard operator, has been restored, as well as updated with modern conveniences, and is now offered as a bed-and-breakfast retreat.
Handcrafted farm products
Annie takes an active role in creating products from the couple’s own crops. She uses honey wax from their eight to 10 beehives to make beeswax candles. She also incorporates their lavender into soaps, lotions, sugar scrubs, essential oils and other items.
The products are sold in local retail shops, at farmers markets and online. Annie even offers workshops in lavender wreath-making.
“We get a lot of enjoyment, a lot of satisfaction, being out here in the Gap,” Hank says.
He and Annie attribute much of what they’ve accomplished on the land to their relationship with AgTrust Farm Credit and Aaron Nors, credit office president in Waco.
A trusted relationship
“With rural property, I don’t think that you can go wrong with AgTrust Farm Credit,” Hank says. “Working with Aaron is a friendship – it’s a good relationship.”
But the Dawsons also appreciate AgTrust’s financing options and cooperative benefits. The lending co-op provided financing for the purchase of four tracts of land.
“I like the terms that AgTrust Ag offers. When you factor in the dividend check, your interest rate is actually lower. I’m very comfortable working with AgTrust Farm Credit,” Hank says.