Introducing "The Wakefields: Two Brothers, Six Generations"

My grandma used to tell me something about farmers. She'd say, farmers have to be hardworking, they have to love what they do, and they have to be a little bit crazy. When I told her I was gonna share that quote on this podcast, she wanted me to explain that crazy isn't wild or odd. She means farmers are bold. They have to care so much about their craft that even if they don't have a steady income, they keep trying to do better.

I'm Cade Miller. Bedford County is a tiny slice of Pennsylvania. My mom grew up there on a dairy farm. In fact, the majority of my family lives in Bedford today. And the Wakefields, they live across the valley.

They're family friends.

Once it's in your blood, you can't get out. It's like the mafia. You know too much. As a journalist with the Penn State News Lab, I've documented what happens when a sixth generation legacy faces its greatest challenge.

"And then my uncle called me and he said that he wanted out."

I've witnessed as the Wakefield brothers faced a devastating choice that would test the boldness my grandma spoke about.

"Well, tell me about that."

"The farm sale?"

Yeah.

"That was the worst day of my life. That was that was rough."

What happens when the only life you've ever known is suddenly sold piece by piece when six generations of work stand at the edge of disappearing.

"And and you you haven't made a dollar yet." "The Wakefields: Two brothers, Six generations" a two part podcast produced by the News Lab at Penn State and first aired on West Virginia Public Broadcasting and Inside Appalachia. Now available wherever you get your podcasts.