My parents were the ones who had the original idea of what is now know as the Flying VS Farm. 30+ years ago when my parents were first married, they had pigeons in the back of the barn. (the very same barn that I will be sprucing up to use for my birds.) Between the pigeons and the sheep, the Flying VS Ranch was born. At that time they called it a ranch, but personally when I think of ranch I think cattle and wide open spaces in Texas. If I don't get the visual of a small and quaint little urban farm- no one else will. I knew that the VS was because of our last name- Van Sickle. When I asked my mom about the Flying part, I was surprised to hear that it had to do with pigeons- even though I knew they'd had them. To me, it was appropriate to take on the name since my first "livestock" has been chickens. A love of birds seem to run in our family... My paternal grandfather spent years building trailers for local ranchers in Northern Nevada. He was the reason my dad spent so many years working on ranches. I'd like to think that he'd be proud of what I am doing now. There are days that I wish he could see me all grown up and following (sort of) in his footsteps. Especially since I am a 3rd generation Nevadan and still here. (What do you think Grandma?)
The idea of legacy and heritage continues on since the current location for the Flying VS Farm happens to be on property that my G'ma (my maternal grandmother) owns. We lived in this particular house when my parents were building the one we sold last year. I have fond memories of the goats that roamed the corrals and the love of that life. Mikey was this HUGE male goat that loved to rub up against the chain link fence. You can still see the "bulge" in the fence from him doing it. My Grandpa Bob (my maternal grandfather) would have been impressed too, since he was the gardener in the family. I definitely inherited it from him. (My G'ma would even tell you that...)
My hope is to continue the legacy. There are many people who have influenced my life, more than I could list here. I know that my parents played a big part in it and I want to do that for the kids in my life. My G'ma has pushed and encouraged me in the past year as well. I would like to have more animals to add the the heritage of the farm and the legacy it is leaving behind. I would also like to find a way for the farm to help people in my community. For now, some of it is just dreams waiting to become reality and some of it is reality waiting for expansion. Regardless, it is a legacy.
What do you consider to be your heritage/legacy?
Do you have family stories like this?
Love Always,
Rebecca
