Photo Gallery: Photo Gallery: Future View Farm Has No Hidden Corners

Photos by Dean Houghton

Sep. 24, 2012

Future View Farms is a Contract Finishing Operation

Jeff and Sue Frey's swine operation consists of two finishers under contract with Country View Family Farms.
Future View Farms is a Family Operation

Future View Farms is a family operation in the shadow of Pennsylvania's historic Boehm's Chapel. Jeff and Sue Frey are assisted by their children, Clara and Ross.
Public Exposure in an Urban Area

Future View Farm is located just six miles south of Lancaster, PA in an area where the population is growing rapidly. The farm is bordered by a historic site on the north side of the farm, a busy, four-lane highway on the east, a paved township road on the west and a former rail line on the south, now a hiking trail. "The farm has no hidden corners," Sue says. "This public exposure is a great motivator to keep the farmstead in tip-top shape. We take pride in knowing that our farm can be viewed by the public from any angel and direction."
Future View Farms is Diversified, Raising Everything from Corn to Easter Flowers

Future View Farms is a diverse enterprise. "We grow corn, soybeans, wheat and barley on about 675 owned and rented acres," Jeff says. Sue puts her degree in floriculture to work by growing and selling Easter flowers such as tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. A driveway that connects to the township road serves the pork production site, while customers for the retail flower business use a driveway leading from the four-lane highway. The farmhouse and greenhouses are separated from the swine facility by an old bank barn and the grain storage setup. Separate driveways allow an extra degree of biosecurity, keeping the public at a distance from the pigs.
Historic Ties

Nestled in Pennsylvania's historic Lancaster County, the Frey family can trace their farm's roots all the way back to William Penn. He provided the original deed to the land in 1710. The farm is located right next to the Boehm's Chapel historic site which draws visitors to see a house of worship built in 1791.
Contract Finishing Operation

The family's 2,000-pig, tunnel-ventilated barn was built in 1997 and a 2,180-pig barn was added to the operation in 2007.
Enthusiastic Pork Promoters

Jeff and Sue Frey take every opportunity to tell farm visitors about modern pork production. "When we get to talking with Sue's (flower) customers and mention that we raise hogs, many of them are surprised," Jeff says. "They have no idea that they are so close to a pork production facility. It's a chance to talk about how we raise hogs, and to inform them about our efforts to improve the land."
Jeff Frey Helps Visitors Learn About Pork Production

Jeff Frey likes to interact with visitors to Future View Farm. He is a founding member of the Pennsylvania No-till Alliance and a veteran custom manure applicator who is eager to share information about conservation methods that help make the farm a model of sustainability.
Conservation Tillage and Cover Crops Help Maintain Soil Quality

Jeff Frey has been a leader in using no-till and cover crops. "The cover crops are our 'injectors,' a million little plants out there per acre that capture the manure," he points out. "The cover crop acts like a sponge, soaking up the nutrients."
Cistern Catches Rainwater from Building Roof

Future View Farm installed an in-ground, 20,000 gal. cistern to catch rainwater from the roof, instead of constructing a storm water catch basin, when the second finishing barn was constructed. A float installed in the cistern allows workers to check the water level daily.
Former Railway Serves as Hiking Trail Bordering Future View Farm

A railway defines the southern boundary of Future View Farm. The track has since been removed; the Frey family maintains the old rail bed as its personal rail-to-trail project.
Pond Provides Recreation on Future View Farm

There's a pond on the southeast corner of the Future View Farm property, next to the hiking trail. It offers a tranquil spot for the Frey family to enjoy some rest and relaxation. The pond harbors a thriving fish population as well as great blue heron.
Farm is Family Business

Future View Farm is truly a family business. The Frey's son, 15-year-old Ross, and 9-year-old daughter, Clara, each have responsibilities in the operation.
Conservation Easement Preserves Farm's Future

The Frey Family preserved the farm with a state conservation easement in 1991. "This gives us peace of mind that our land will always be used for its highest and best use--agriculture," Jeff says.

2012 Pork Industry Environmental Steward Award-winning Future View Farms is located just six miles south of Lancaster, PA. The public exposure motivates the Jeff and Sue Frey Family to keep the farm in tip-top shape. The family also uses every opportunity to teach people about pork production.

Enjoy this photographic tour of Future View Farms. Learn more about the operation by reading the story, "Focused on the Future," published in the Sept. 15, 2012 issue of National Hog Farmer magazine. Take a video tour of the Frey's award-winning operation here.