Beam family’s farm has a big taste of history

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WILSON TOWNSHIP — A farm steeped in history will be the setting for Dinner in the Fields where local agricultural heritage will be a keynote at the ninth annual event known for good turnouts.

The dinner this Friday evening will be on the farm of David, Susan, Brooke and Madgeann Beam at 885 Spencer Road west of Sabina.

Situated on top of a glacial moraine landscape which is one of the highest elevations in Clinton County, the Beams’ farm provides panoramic views of the surrounding farmland. A moraine is material, usually soil and rock, left behind by a moving glacier, according to the National Geographic Society website.

The farm has a national and state historical marker for an Adena or Hopewell Native American mound. It is believed the mound was built between 800 B.C. and 500 A.D. The area surrounding the mound was analyzed by the archaeological department of Wright State University, where they have archived a collection of artifacts from the Beams’ farm.

The Spencer family, for whom the road is named, built the first homestead on the land.

Brooke Beam said, “The previous owner of the Spencers’ farm told my family several stories about the farm. However, we do not have any way to verify these stories. One story is that President Madison visited the farm during a tour of the area. And a second story is that the Spencer family was known for their parties, and at one point the home had a ballroom attached. However, the ballroom later burned and was not attached to the home when my family acquired the land.”

The Beam family began farming this land in the 1940s. However, the family has a long history of farming prior to acquiring this land.

Brooke Beam is the seventh generation of the Beam family to be actively involved in production agriculture in Clinton County. The family’s agricultural businesses have adapted as times have changed, ranging from milling, production of tomatoes for Heinz Ketchup, raising livestock, and now primarily grain production.

Marvin Beam was recognized an Ohio Outstanding Young Farmer in the 1960s. David Beam was recognized as both a National and Ohio Outstanding Young Farmer in 1990. Susan Wilson Beam served as the Ohio Beef and Angus Queens in the 1970s. Brooke Beam will graduate from The Ohio State University this Sunday, Aug. 6 with a Ph.D. in agricultural and Extension education.

The Beam family currently produces corn, soybeans, and maple syrup out of the woods. The maple syrup will be available to attendees of Dinner in the Fields to drizzle on homemade ice cream.

Also available for the attendees are vintage 16mm home videos of the Beam farm and Wilmington in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The films were recorded by Robert Cotner, Madgeann Cotner Beam’s father, who operated the Hale & Cotner Rexall Pharmacy in downtown Wilmington.

The films show life on the farm and the goings-on of downtown Wilmington during that time period.

Additionally, Brooke Beam created a 15-minute documentary film of the process of growing corn on the family farm in 2016, which will also be available for attendees to view.

Thanks to Brooke Beam for her contribution of this story.

The top image is from “An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Clinton County, Ohio” by Lake, Griffing & Stevenson, published in 1876. The lower image is of the same setting in 2017. The image from 1876 is of the residence of M.M. and E.A. Spencer. The image from 2017 is of the Beam family’s farm.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/08/web1_beams_combo_p_f.jpgThe top image is from “An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Clinton County, Ohio” by Lake, Griffing & Stevenson, published in 1876. The lower image is of the same setting in 2017. The image from 1876 is of the residence of M.M. and E.A. Spencer. The image from 2017 is of the Beam family’s farm.
Beams farm historical land

For The News Journal

An annual fundraiser for the Clinton County Leadership Institute, Dinner in the Fields will begin 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4. Organizers will still take tickets the night of the event for $40 each (children ages 4 to 10 are $10, and younger than 4 there is no charge; advanced sales adults: $35 each). In case of inclement weather, it will be held indoors. A full meal, cooked on the farm, will feature sweet corn, pork, chicken, fresh vegetables, breads baked on site, and more.

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