Sadie’s Take on Delaware Ohio

119 responses so far ↓

• 1 Toby Boyce // Sep 6, 2007 at 8:26 am

  I am not affiliated with this contest in any way. I found it on Craig’s List last night and did a little research and thought it was a neat thing to post on. Sorry if there is any confusion in how I wrote this post.

• 2 Anonymous // Sep 6, 2007 at 9:57 pm

  Good luck getting 4,000 people to send them a $100.

• 3 chiff // Sep 7, 2007 at 4:02 am

  So is this for real? I am looking into it too and wondering a few things. If it is real and I am lucky enough to win it, how would I afford the tax bill I will get for having a $400,000 “income” for the year.

  Yes, a person could take out a 2nd mortgage on the home if they even qualify–However they would likely be from another town, be leaving all sources of income behind in that said town and coming out to a farm in what looks like the middle of nowhere. Assuming this person is a low income earner (like me) what would they do? They might not have any furniture, farm equipment or even a freaking horse for the barn. Is there work in that area? I’d love to win a horse farm like that but it would equally break my heart if I lost it soon after due to red-tape, tax bills or a 2nd mortgage I couldn’t afford.

• 4 Toby Boyce // Sep 7, 2007 at 7:23 am

  Cliff,
  You make some great points on my post about the essay contest.
  Regarding the taxes, that is the biggest hurdle you can run into in this deal. There response was that you could easily get a second-mortgage to cover the initial taxes. And I agree that you could “easily” get a second-mortgage, but that doesn’t mean that everyone can “easily” afford the second’s rate and terms.
  Another concern is that you have no chance to inspect the premises, we have to go off their disclaimer and while I have no reason to believe they are lying, I also have no reason to believe they are not.
  Is there work in the area? Hmm, that depends on how you define area. Mt. Vernon (15 minutes) has several small factories but they have been hurting. Newark (35 minutes), Mansfield (45 minutes) and Columbus (50 minutes) are probably the best bests for higher-paying jobs in the area. Now you see why I grew up in the Danville/Howard area and moved on to greener pastures.
  Have a great day!
  Toby

• 5 Steve from Silicon Valley // Sep 7, 2007 at 5:11 pm

  I’d love to hear the results of this and if they make it to 4,000 entries. $100 seems pretty steep for a 1-in-4000 chance on a $400K home. The rules say that if they don’t, they’ll split the entry money half-and-half with the winning essay writer…

• 6 chiff // Sep 7, 2007 at 6:18 pm

  Toby,
  I know nothing about that area, however I lived in the Cleveland area for 15 years and still visit often. I found the ad for the essay contest while surfing around considering the idea of having a little hobby farm in Ohio. I can’t see myself being able to afford that right now so that essay contest did capture my interest. I don’t plan on entering however. The hundred dollars to enter really isn’t so bad when I consider the money I have wasted on lotteries and general “entertainment” expenses. Winning the property would cost oh so much more.

  If they are lying in their disclaimer then maybe a new inspection and home appraisal would be able to be used as evidence to the IRS to bring down the amount of prize winnings? Not sure about that. By the way my online nickname is chiff and I am female.

  chiff

• 7 Toby Boyce // Sep 7, 2007 at 7:26 pm

  Steve - One thing to keep in mind is that this house is probably 4x the area average at $400,000. Though, I’d say the value is probably closer to $250,000 - $300,000 rather than $400,000. There are a lot of Columbus agent (about an hour south) that like to moonlight up the northern counties. It leads to over-pricing trying to assign Franklin/Delaware prices to Knox County properties.

• 8 Toby Boyce // Sep 7, 2007 at 8:10 pm

  Chiff,
  I’m so sorry! That’s what I get for being near-sighted and spending too much time on the computer.
  There really is no such thing in Ohio as an “as is” sale (from a legal perspective) so you would have the opportunity to adjust the price. I’d argue that this contest is not establishing a “fair-market value” for the property, so it would be up for discussion with the county auditor to argue the ture value of the prize.
  Toby

• 9 Rodney // Sep 15, 2007 at 12:02 pm

  I am not sure what the second mortgage is about. If you win the house and you want to pay any taxes you would take out a first mortgage becouase as rule C states “All contest winners are subject to paying taxes on their winnings. Therefore the winner of this property will be obligated to pay taxes on the property. However, with a debt-free warranty deed providing the winner with hundreds of thousands of dollars of built-in equity, this should not be a financial burden to the winner.”

• 10 Toby Boyce // Sep 16, 2007 at 7:32 am

  Rodney - Thanks for stopping by. The “technical” term would be a second-mortgage in the first position if they chose to take out a home-equity loan to pay off the taxes for winning the home.
  And you are correct in what the rules say, but in our tight liquidity market, it is tougher to get any kind of home loans. And if you are credit challenged you will still probably get the loan, but have a less competitive interest rate.
  Still an interesting idea, but you have to have your eyes open throughout the entire transaction.

• 11 Tabitha // Sep 21, 2007 at 9:24 am

  Regarding inspection of the property - if you look at the website you will see that driveby’s are absolutely welcome. While the property owners are not scheduling showings, you can definitely get a feel for the size/condition of the property - the disclosure forms on the website are also very helpful…

  As for built-in equity, you can take care of the taxes that way - as for fears about leaving your comfort zone and living where there is “no work,” you can create work for yourself by farming the land or coming up with another business plan or you could rent it out OR you could sell it for less than market value and walk away with the money.

  I agree this farm isn’t for everyone, but part of the essay portion is being creative and telling why you want the farm or proposing an exciting use for the property. Good luck if you enter! Great odds…

  Thanks.

• 12 V // Sep 23, 2007 at 10:27 am

  hi toby, do you know what kind of history these type of essays have produced ? for many who have never owned property and in this economy aren’t likely to, it appears to be a chance to not only change their futures, but break the cycle of “landless” generations. i do wish the post included what type of revenue the oil sales produced. it seems that with taxes every 6 months of less than 700.00 that oil sales might cover annual tax burden. also it seems that the farm has all kinds of possibilities for any that wish to work. fruitful employment in columbus is still in abundance., and its a hour commute. 100.00 is a great price for those that can see the many possibilities. im selling a personal item i love but never use to provide our 100.00. i cant afford the money, but can afford to see my grandkids growup without property ? no i cant. im thankful for this chance to alter the life of my wife and i and at very least provide a more level playing board for my kids and my grandkids. at worst i have the time that i dreamed of winning this farm and the loss of a keepsake that sat in its place doing nothing for no one but me.

• 13 Anna // Sep 27, 2007 at 3:41 pm

  I know for a fact its a scam! I drove to hill rd and there is nothing that even closely resembles the photos. BEWARE

• 14 Toby Boyce // Sep 28, 2007 at 12:22 am

  Dear Anon. E-mailer,

  First allow me to say that there are jobs in central Ohio. I am not bashing Knox County in general, or Howard specifically (for anything other than football), but I am being a realist. This area is more economically depressed than other regions in central Ohio. period. End of story. I grew up here, I go there to see my parents, I KNOW the economy. So relax and take this as it is, an honest evaluation to people that might be considering moving into the area.

  P.S. - If you are going to have the “guts” to call my integrity into question, please at least provide a real e-mail so we can discuss the situation in the future.

  Sorry everyone else.

• 15 Toby Boyce // Sep 28, 2007 at 12:22 am

  Tabatha - Thanks for stopping by again. I think there is an interesting dicotomy taking place in this conversation that I never expected to see.

  V - I have no experience with these type of sales, so I’m sorry that I can’t give you the history. However, I think you have the right attitude. Go into knowing that the time to write the essay and dream of owning this land may be worth the $100 for you.

  Anna - I’m going argue with you on this one. Gretchen and I drove by the homestead and while the photos on the Net are “perfect” days, it does resemble the home as advertised.
  It is no different than you’d see for any other advertisement.

• 16 Cheryl // Sep 28, 2007 at 9:52 pm

  Omigosh~!

  I’m so glad to have found this site! I too found this contest on Craig’sList.

  I’m a 63 year old woman living on SSD. IF
  someone like me (I live on 643.00) a month) were to win the contest and have no savings. Would it be even feasible to consider entering?

  After having read all the comments here and having absolutely no working knowledge of the real estate industry: how in the world would one qualify for a second mortgage to pay the taxes?

  I’d love to own such a property. As a single mother, having raised two children on minimum wage, it would indeed be a dream come true to be able to at last provide a Home for my family….to get back to the land.

  Also, does anyone on the area know the people who are doing this? Can anyone verify their story?

• 17 Tabitha // Oct 1, 2007 at 8:24 am

  Cheryl,

  You are right to look into the tax information regarding the home. While qualifying for a home loan is generally based on the buyer’s ability to pay (monthly income, revolving debt, assets), this particular loan (a second mortgage or whatever type of loan you want to make it) would be of little risk to the institution making the loan to you. Why? Because you have scads of equity in the home. So while I’m not a mortgage broker, I do know enough that if you have a huge amount of equity to back up a loan, your monthly income and current assets take a back seat in qualifying.

  To be absolutely sure, I’d contact your bank or a local mortgage company. Ask them how this works. They’re looking for business so talking to them wouldn’t cost a thing. Think of it as a free financial advising session - but keep in mind they are out for the interest of their company - not you.

  As for the legitimacy of the contest, keep your eye on the Columbus Dispatch. Kim (the property owner) recently interviewed with them and there should be a feature story out soon.

  As best friend to their daughter, I spent many a nights camping, swimming and hiking on the farm. It is truly beautiful. I’ve seen foals born, I’ve watched red-tailed hawks dip down and grab a mouse from the field, and I’ve been humbled by God when I’ve stood on the deck and watched a thunderstorm roll in from the adjacents hills.

  If you haven’t explored all of the website, check it out. There’s a property description that tells about all of the great updates in the houses and the amenities in the barns and outbuildings.

  I think the most convenient part is that the oil wells provide economical heating in the winter. If I could enter (which I can’t) I would buy or convert a car to natural gas and put a pump on the farm to commute to my job in Columbus. Free gas and free heat! The possibilities are endless.

• 18 UPDATE: Howard Ohio Home To Be Awarded in Essay Contest | Sadie's Take on Delaware Ohio // Dec 9, 2007 at 1:21 am

  [...] I’ve had a few people ask for an update on the essay contest to own a farm in Howard, Ohio. [...]

• 19 JO // Dec 10, 2007 at 7:40 am

  My wife and I entered this contest and was wondering what the Schools were like. We now live in Columbus and and our kids go to a wonderful school. I would most likely commute so a job would not be an issue. JO

• 20 Tabitha // Dec 10, 2007 at 8:11 am

  East Knox Local School District has an elementary school in Bladensburg which is about 5-10 minutes away, but grades 7-12 are currently less than 5 minutes away in Howard, Ohio. They are in the process of finishing the new middle school as we speak. Very small district - I graduated in a class of 88 students. I also believe they are starting a soccer team this year - lots of firsts coming up for this quaint school district - also, I believe Knox County has open enrollment for all schools, so if East Knox wasn’t a good fit for your children, they are free to attend Mt. Vernon schools or a private school in the area as long as you could provide transportation.

• 21 JO // Dec 10, 2007 at 9:51 am

  Transportation would not be an issue either. I currently teach middle school in Columbus. Do you know when the school would be finished.? Thanks Tabitha. JO

• 22 Tabitha // Dec 11, 2007 at 1:57 pm

  …regarding Jo’s comment about “skill,” I wasn’t referring to the judging of the essays, I was referring to the legal info about the contest - it isn’t a lottery because it is a “judged contest of skill,” meaning there’s an essay component to determine a winner, not a random drawing from a hat.

• 23 Charles Knowlton // Dec 22, 2007 at 9:05 pm

  I wonder about the tax everyone is talking about.. is that income or inheritance tax. This appears not for the faint hearted but for someone wanting some creative hard work

• 24 Toby Boyce // Dec 22, 2007 at 10:13 pm

  Charles - It would be the phantom income that the winner would have to declare from “winning” this game of skill.

• 25 chiff // Dec 24, 2007 at 4:42 am

  he he he if you win can I live in the 2nd house for free? I’ll help with chores.

• 26 lisa duncan // Dec 26, 2007 at 7:38 pm

  Has the house been given away yet? I haven’t found any postings that it has.

  Please let me know as I did enter the contest. My heart pounded the entire way with excitement with the fact my daughter, son in law and two grand daughters, and son, could all get back to our farming days. Thanks for the opportunity to write, and God Bless All….

• 27 Cynthia // Dec 26, 2007 at 9:27 pm

  My family and I are originally from the Howard area and when we moved to upstate NY, my siblings were DEVASTATED to move (I was only 2 at the time). They loved going to school there, and just loved everything about it!

  My parents have recently bought a place near where we used to live, and spend time up there every summer, and all us kids come and have an awesome time.

  I live on a 40-acre farm in FL, and when I heard about this place I went right ahead and wrote an essay. In fact, my sister and brothers did as well.

  Its now past Christmas, and we are all DYING to know if someone has been chosen yet. It honestly would be the living, waking dream if one of us got it!

• 28 Cynthia // Dec 26, 2007 at 9:28 pm

  Also…

  My Mom apparently knows exactly where this place is, and knows their neighbors as well!

• 29 Toby Boyce // Dec 27, 2007 at 10:31 am

  The deadline has been extended until February so they can get more entries.

• 30 lisa duncan // Dec 27, 2007 at 11:49 am

  This is awesome… I am patient…

  I think at some point in all of our younger lives we were all devastated when we moved. I just know from experience of raising and training TB Thoroughbred Race Horses, that’s where I once again want to be……My 27 year old son has horses, he would be moving onto the farm with me if I was blest enough to win this farm.

• 31 Wendy // Jan 10, 2008 at 1:01 pm

  I’ll be very interested to see how this works out. I have a small but successful bed and breakfast in the Northern Michigan Lakes region, and am thinking of giving it away in a contest of some kind.

• 32 Lisa duncan // Jan 10, 2008 at 4:11 pm

  Hey Wendy, How are you??? Nice to have a new face looking into our forum….If you had to sell your B&B, how much would the asking price be. Why would you want to sell it, if it so successful. Just Wondering???

• 33 Wendy // Jan 10, 2008 at 4:26 pm

  Our Inn has never been on the market, and we in fact have not considered selling since we opened five years ago.

  My parents live in Florida and my Dad is in very poor health. Mom is struggling and we have no other family down there…both of my brothers have jobs and kids here, and would never consider moving.

  The bed and breakfast business provides revenues of $30,000+ as well as great tax write-offs. We’ve done a lot of improvements and would include all furnishings, our website…everything. We wanted to be Innkeepers for 10 years prior to starting this Inn, and I just thought it might be nice to give someone else a chance to live their dream, as we have.

  Being familiar with Real Estate and the B&B Industry, I see value being somewhere between $225,000 -$250,000.

• 34 Lisa duncan // Jan 10, 2008 at 7:33 pm

  Thanks Wendy, once again I appreciate your response. What is your Websight??? for the B&B? How big is your B&B, sq. footage?

• 35 Wendy // Jan 10, 2008 at 7:42 pm

  The House is about 3400 square foot with two stories on 2.5 acres with a 2.5 car garage in a popular Northern Michigan Resort community near Michigan Ski Resorts and Traverse City.

  As the Inn is not currently on the market OR the prize of any contest, I’m really not willing to divulge our the name or web address for these purposes.

  This is just something we have started discussing and I will be watching the results of several similar contests occuring right now.

• 36 edna // Jan 16, 2008 at 8:06 pm

  Does anyone know how many essays have been received? I have mine sent in, and I am hoping to win, but I would like to know how the competetion is looking.

• 37 Toby Boyce // Jan 17, 2008 at 1:48 pm

  The generic answer is a “couple hundred”.

• 38 lisa duncan // Jan 17, 2008 at 4:54 pm

  Is that all there is Toby, a couple of hundred essays? That’s not many at all…

• 39 Wendy // Jan 17, 2008 at 5:26 pm

  It’s too bad…would be a win win to get enough entries. It’s a shame that a straight drawing is illegal…they would get more entries.

• 40 Toby Boyce // Jan 20, 2008 at 7:07 am

  We’ve had some contradiction on the number of entries received.

  They are looking for 4,000 entries.

  On Dec. 11, Tabitha said the contest would be extended unless 3,000 entries came flowing in.
  On Jan. 2, JO commented that a Dispatch article has Kimberly Compton quoting the number of entries at 90.

  Now both of these were pre-Dispatch numbers which could (and should) have caused a spike in entries. Plus the work of Tammy to get some media coverage for the essay contest.

  I would be surprised if they are closer than 1/3 of the way to the goal and would expect the number may be closer to 1/5.

• 41 edna // Jan 25, 2008 at 10:38 pm

  I have been hoping that they receive a deluge of essays quick, as I am really eager to see if I am the lucky dreamer to win. If I had the money, I would enter more essays to the contest. Good Luck to All.

• 42 M // Jan 28, 2008 at 3:28 pm

  Hello all.

  Any word or any way of knowing what the updated total of entries is? There should be a countdown of sorts on the page, to let people know. It might motivate more people to enter.

  Good luck to everyone who has entered. I hope they get the required number!

• 43 PalmBayChuck // Feb 19, 2008 at 5:18 pm

  Hum… as few as 90. Boy, I’d been waiting to see what happens here. That’s kind of disappointing. This looks like a little slice of heaven for sure.

• 44 Jeremy // Feb 20, 2008 at 12:07 pm

  I’m wondering if anyone has any kind of ballpark idea of what the initial taxes would run on a farm like this?

• 45 Jeremy // Feb 20, 2008 at 12:52 pm

  Never mind.

  Basically, from what I’ve managed to Google the IRS would treat this as if you had just won $400K in cash, which you would have to report as income on your 2008 return. Assuming a salary of $50K and no deductions, this would knock our ‘winner’ into the 35% bracket, with a tax bill from Uncle Sam in the neighborhood of $157K. That doesn’t even get into Ohio tax.

  So unless my math is terrifically off(and it may be), you would essentially be buying a $157K home. Unless you’d be willing to sell your existing home to cover the tax bill, a 30-year mortgage fixed at 6% would run about $942 a month, principal and interest. Good deal for some, but perhaps not such a great deal for some of the families that could really benefit from a contest like this.

  I think I understand why there are so few entries.

• 46 Wendy // Feb 20, 2008 at 1:07 pm

  Who sets the value of the prize? The IRS? The local tax assessor?

  Let’s assume the farm really is valued at $400,000.00; even with a $157,000 tax bill….that’s instant equity of a quarter of a million dollars and a 150% ROI. Good luck finding that anyplace else.

  Win it and get a mortgage for just 39% of the value (and probably be able to write off the mortgage interest) or sell it to a developer and make a killer profit. Any house that you can get for less than 40% of it’s value with $100 out of pocket is a screamer of an investment.

  Anyone looking to win it and live there expense free is dreaming.

• 47 Jeremy // Feb 20, 2008 at 1:21 pm

  The stated appraisal value of the house is $400K. That is the amount that the tax gods would assess tax on, and if the winner wanted raise an argument on what ‘fair market value’ really might be, then like Toby said, that would be on the winner to take up with the IRS/County Auditor/etc. My first thought would be ‘good luck’.

  The problem with getting the mortagage is that upon winning, you already own the property. I guess it would be a second mortgage if the winner owned a primary residence as well, but if not, then it would be a home equity loan on the farm. Is interest on a home equity loan deductable? I’m not sure, something to consider.

  Even when it comes to selling the property, ‘fair market value’ comes into play, especially being located in a rural area with an average home price of 100K or so, in an economy where developers are going bankrupt and laying people off, rather than buying more land to build homes on.

  I don’t think that the current owner’s motives here are entirely altruistic, either. If he felt that he could get even 300K out of the property, he would not be doing this.

  Definitely lots to consider.

• 48 Toby Boyce // Feb 24, 2008 at 11:39 pm

  Sorry to be late to the party. It’s been a fun couple of days - but very busy.

  Sell it to a developer? Not likely. The market isn’t good for that, but even more is that this area isn’t ready for development.

  Tax Value - You can argue it, and I think it would be reduced — just how much.

  Net Income - As Jeremy stated, this is the killer tax we’ve been talking about. You are looking at a major bump in your gross income for 2008 and that is what is going to hurt a lot.

  Owner’s Motives - I don’t think they’ve ever said their motives. Obviously, this is a bad situation for them - divoce if I remember right - and they want to move the property as quickly as posible. Why not take a chance

• 49 Charles Knowlton // Feb 25, 2008 at 9:33 am

  In a few days this will be history- I have been involved from the start and read comments. This is not for everyone but for a particular person would be great. Hope that particular person wins

• 50 babe // Feb 27, 2008 at 5:50 pm

  i thought that the owners of the house wanted to retire. not that they were getting a dvorce. wondering if this same house ??

• 51 Tammy // Feb 28, 2008 at 1:54 pm

  Toby, what happens if one has just moved and has no time to get their new address to the owners? If they chose that persons essay, and cannot contact them, they lose it?

  Do you know how to get a hold of Tabitha? I just moved yesterday and have no time to get the information to them before the final winner has been chosen. I did mail the new address to them as soon as I knew it but that was only three days ago.

  Do you know the name of the paper that ran the story, about a month ago, on the contest and the owners? Maybe they will know how to contact them. I cannot find Howard Town Hall. Do they even have one? If they do, maybe they know how to contact them.

• 52 Dave K // Feb 28, 2008 at 3:17 pm

  There are two farms like this in Ohio. This one is up as a prize because of divorce.

  The ones that are retiring are up in Ashtabula County. Their website is winafarm.bravehost.com.

  Yes, I’ve entered both.

• 53 Amy P // Feb 29, 2008 at 7:57 am

  I’m very excited about his opportunity too. I sent my essay yesterday (had to be postmarked by Feb 28). I’ll keep my fingers crossed and let you all know when I win. LOL. Does anyone know how many entries they have received?

• 54 Clair Overley // Feb 29, 2008 at 10:35 am

  Has a winner ben announced yet for the dream farm essay contest?

• 55 Toby Boyce // Mar 3, 2008 at 2:50 pm

  I’m sorry but I don’t have any news on if, or when, a winner will be announced.

  I’ve e-mailed a couple of contacts that I had with them in the past and haven’t heard anything.

  I’ll let you know when I do.
  Toby

• 56 Charles Knowlton // Mar 9, 2008 at 3:39 pm

  We have come to March 8, 2008. What is the latest on the contest? The web site say it could be extended until April but nothing offical. I would like like some conformation “yes or no”.
  Someone who has access to info please give us a hint

• 57 Tammy // Mar 10, 2008 at 5:04 am

  This is what the web site now states: “Entries must be post-marked no later than February 28, 2008, and received no later than March 15, 2008. Contest may be extended by two months to meet needed number of entrants. This will be announced on American Dream-Farm web site if necessary. All entry fees will be held in escrow account until solicited entries are met and contest is over.”

  Is there any way, Toby, that you can contact the “Dispatch News” and ask them to ask the owners for a good solid update? I bet we aren’t the only ones that want to know whats going on.

• 58 Tammy // Mar 10, 2008 at 5:11 am

  It also states the following: If there are too few entries, the contest will be extended until April (exact date will be announced on American Dream-Farm web site).

  Right after this comment it states that if too few entries are recieved, by March 18, 2008, that the money will be slit between the owners of the property and a winner. But it said that when the deadline was dec. 18, 2007 and then they extended the deadline. So what gives? Are they going to just keep going till they get 3700 or more entries or sticking with the original rules?

• 59 Toby & Sadie // Mar 10, 2008 at 10:12 am

  I’ll make some calls. I’ll be honest, I have a conference at the State House on Tuesday and Wednesday so it will probably be a few days before I can really talk more about it.

  Based on the new wording of the Web site, my “guess” is that they have given up receiving 3,700 entries. The option of them splitting the money was always there, but a date was never in place. They always had the option to extend it but there was no “concrete” date on how many entries they wanted to receive.

  Basically, unless I hear something sooner we are looking at March 15 being the “give or continue” day.

  I’ll do some digging and see what I can find out.
  Toby

• 60 Tammy // Mar 11, 2008 at 4:50 am

  Thanks Toby.

• 61 edna // Mar 15, 2008 at 3:39 pm

  I am hoping they decide soon! I am getting antsy waiting each month. I think that if they don’t get a lot of essays soon, then they should consider the real prospect of splitting the money with the winner. It doesn’t seem that there are a lot of positive dreamers out there sending in essays. I want the farm to live on and love, but green is also good! The other farm up for essay that Babe is mentioning is in Orwell, Ohio. It was also advertised for a $100. entry fee and essay. Very nice farm also. Edna

• 62 stephanie // Mar 15, 2008 at 5:11 pm

  My aunt is hoping they will do one or the other really soon also. We have had to move so that we will have more space. She say’s she would love to get the farm but the money wouldn’t hurt right now either.

  Someone could use that money, if that’s what they chose to do, to start building on a smaller dream. That’s what Tammy say’s and I agree.

  I pray everyday that they allow this to be the finall day and that they will either give away the farm or the money now.

• 63 Lisa // Mar 16, 2008 at 9:50 am

  I am a dreamer, I want the farm to love also, there are two houses, and my son would live in one, and I would live in the other with my older Mentally Challenged brother, and my husband. My brother always wanted a horse and we grew up on acreage, but were never allowed to have horses, so this would be the chance of a life time for many of us. So I leased horses off and on so I could give my brother chances to have and learn to ride. He is not the best rider, but he knows how to take care of horses, and his gentle spirit attracts horses. My son has horses but has to board them out, as for me, at the moment I am horseless. To have a farm would be a Spiritual Journey for me. God Bless All of You…. Thanks for the opportunity to share….. Lisa

• 64 Lisa // Mar 16, 2008 at 9:50 am

  We all took the time to write an essay and sent in our money, we all do deserve an answer soon…….

• 65 Lisa // Mar 17, 2008 at 3:20 pm

  If they don’t have enough essay’s maybe they’ll give the farm away and take one gigantic loss on their 2008 income tax return, that would be awesome….Think about it anyway……..

• 66 Ivy // Mar 18, 2008 at 12:55 pm

  I just got a note back from the reporter who did the Dispatch story on the contest. He says he’s planning to follow up on it in the next couple of weeks.

• 67 Toby & Sadie // Mar 18, 2008 at 1:27 pm

  Thanks for the update Ivy. I hope they share before he does.

• 68 Simone // Mar 20, 2008 at 7:44 am

  The website said that the entries had to be POSTMARKED by February 28th and received by March 15th at the latest. GIVE THEM TIME to review everything! Some of you are writing your “essays” (life stories) here with hopes of what? It’s not judged based on what you write here but on what you submitted in the mail. Somebody wrote on the 15th of March she wanted them to make a decision that day. MAN, BE PATIENT. Go on with your life! Go on living! Go on working! Go on planning your own life’s path! It seems like so many people are stopping what they are doing and just waiting, thinking they are going to win. It’s all up to the Grand Architect, not you. Stop writing your personal stories here. Everyone, EVERYONE has a story. Yours is no better or worse than the next person’s. It’s like you are all competing HERE to win. Let it go. Let God. If it’s meant to be, it will be.

• 69 Marc // Mar 20, 2008 at 7:53 am

  Wow Simone you are RIGHT ON!!! I have been reading this site for quite some time now and you are the first person who makes any sense! I agree with Simone! Some of you sound really pathetic and downright MEAN! “We took the time to enter…” P-L-E-A-S-E!!! I can’t believe the one woman wrote they should “take the loss” and give the farm away anyway!!!!! Are you kidding me? Isn’t a divorce loss enough? They should now just give away (to you??!!) they’re farm???? You sound like someone who would NEVER be happy and complain and want more. You’d probably want all their furniture and farm machines too.

• 70 Lance // Mar 20, 2008 at 2:11 pm

  Marc, Simone, I agree that the winner has already be decided upon by our great creator and that the fait of all rest in his hands. I am, however, disappointed in the fact that you accuse these people posting in this thread of trying to sway the judges decisions through the content of their posts. That was just rude. Everyone on this thread has a dream of winning that farm. They all have their own reasons to enter and dare to dream it. They are only sharing their reasons for entering and hoping and praying to win. Does the fact that they have taken the time to share make their story one of woes or persuasions? No, it does not. You both should be ashamed of yourselves for even suggesting what you have of these people and their stories.

  I see that you have entered as well. Why did you enter? Could it be that you have a dream the stretches far beyond your current reality. Well, I’m just guessing the answer would be yes. Why else would you send a hundred dollars and an essay in to get the farm? Funny thing is, is that that’s why everyone else has entered the contest too. Go figure?

  I honestly think that the two of you just worry that you do not have a story that comes close, in comparison, to the stories you have read in this thread. Maybe your essay wont stand up to someone else’s due to the lack of woe’s you suffer in your life. Could I be right? Well trust assured that the contest will be judged very fairly and maybe, just maybe, the family wants it to go to someone like you.

  I have been reading, but not posting to, this thread since it started. I do not think these people have been out of line in anyway whatsoever in posting their reasons to enter the contest. I enjoy reading their posts. They make me feel more human and offer me more reason to pray at night. I have not entered this contest. I already own a farm of my own. I am following this thread because I too have planned to offer mine up in an essay contest. But without the entry fee. I just wanted to see how this one went over first. I wanted to see if I could learn of how many people have had a hard life and really needed the dream of a lifetime to come true for them.

  I am so pleased to see these people leaving their stories here. Sometimes people have no one to share their problems with at home. It just feels so good to get it all out from time to time. These people are supporting each other and I do not see anything wrong with it. God set no limits on “Love thy neighbor” or did he? Let them dream together. Let them share their lives with one another and let them support one another. It will not hurt you read it but it should hurt you to learn of their suffering. I know that I hurt for them as I read of their heartache and despair. “LOVE THY NEIGHBOR”.

  I have learned, through these posts, that there are people out there that could use my farm. People that would love it and care for it. People that have suffered hard lives and need a break. People that would appreciate my farm just as much as I ever have. These people are the type of people that I want to own my farm. Hopefully, one of them will.

  Keep dreaming, keep sharing and keep supporting one another. It’s healthy and it’s only being human. I pray for each and everyone of you as I go to bed each night. And Stephanie, if you read this, know that I believe that you are a very strong young woman and your mother would be very proud of you for all of the struggles you have battled to keep her family together. Edna, you are a great woman, full of love for your fellow man. I thank you for being here for everyone and keeping the hopes high for all. Lisa, you and Tammy seem to be in the same boat with each other. You have both done more than your fair share of work in keeping your families together. It is so wonderful of the two of you to stick together in supporting each other. I see that Tammy is going to share with you and your family should she win. Dave, Amy, Charles, Babe, Jeremy, Wendy, Jo, Cynthia, V, Chiff, M, Cheryl, Palm Bay, Anna, Rodney and Steve ( I think I added all posters) You are all very kind and loving people. I am so pleased to see that your posts are kind, informative and supportive. You are all in my prayers. I have enjoyed reading all of your posts and stories. Thank you for sharing them. Toby, I thank you for offering this thread and keeping it up throughout the contest.

  Marc and Simone, please be more kind and less judgmental. “Do not judge thy neighbor as you may be judged yourself”.

• 71 Lance // Mar 20, 2008 at 2:22 pm

  Neither of the posts, left on the 15th, seem to be rude or pushy to me. I have posted them below. They both hope for them decide soon/really soon. One states that she prays EVERYDAY that this will be the day. Please note that she said “EVERYDAY” not “TODAY”. Meaning that she prays “EVERYDAY” not just on the 15th. If you are going to comment on others posts, please restate it as it was written. Everyday means on the 15th, 16th, 17th and so on. I see nothing wrong with her praying to finally know is a winner has been chosen. Or did I just miss something? listen here, hopes are high. It has been extended once already. People just want to know if they plan to extend it agan or choose a winner of either the farm or the money. They have had thier hopes up for a while now, they deserve know if it will go on or end now.

  edna // Mar 15, 2008 at 3:39 pm

  I am hoping they decide soon! I am getting antsy waiting each month. I think that if they don’t get a lot of essays soon, then they should consider the real prospect of splitting the money with the winner. It doesn’t seem that there are a lot of positive dreamers out there sending in essays. I want the farm to live on and love, but green is also good! The other farm up for essay that Babe is mentioning is in Orwell, Ohio. It was also advertised for a $100. entry fee and essay. Very nice farm also. Edna
  62 stephanie // Mar 15, 2008 at 5:11 pm

  My aunt is hoping they will do one or the other really soon also. We have had to move so that we will have more space. She say’s she would love to get the farm but the money wouldn’t hurt right now either.

  Someone could use that money, if that’s what they chose to do, to start building on a smaller dream. That’s what Tammy say’s and I agree.

  I pray everyday that they allow this to be the finall day and that they will either give away the farm or the money now.

• 72 Tammy // Mar 20, 2008 at 2:43 pm

  I am so glad to see the post left here by lance! Thank you so very much for your comments. I agree with you one hundred percent in everything you said. All of these people have been sharing their stories and have been supporting each other. I think it’s just beautiful to see complete strangers brought together, through this contest, sharing their lives and hopes and dreams with each other. It’s just amazing to learn of the love these people offer to each other.

  I entered this contest for my niece, Stephanie, and have shared her story with everyone here also. Edna has been a great support for me and Stephanie through our hard times. She is just so kind and loving of everyone. She, too, said that Lisa and should be friends and start sharing e-mails with each other. Edna is really awesome and great! I hope to meet her on day.

  So, when do you plan to start your essay contest? Can you wait till this one is over? I would hate to see everyone just give up all of their hopes of winning this one because there was another one up for grabs. Not that your farm isn’t very nice or what. But maybe you would choose the same person that these owners chose too. That would be crazy. I really hope to win this one but if not I can continue to dream through your contest. I like dreaming, it’s so much fun and exciting.

  Welcome to the thread. I am so glad to have another wonderful person to chat with and hear from. You are such a nice man. You had only supportive words to say to those that have posted their dreams. And you stood up to those two people that were being mean and cruel. Thank you. I just cried, for everyone posting in this thread, when I read what they had typed. I did not want to post anything in reply to their comments. I am so glad you did.

• 73 Lance // Mar 20, 2008 at 3:14 pm

  Wow Tammy, your quick to respond! Do you work on a computer for a living?

  My wife and I have been talking it over, and after reading what Simone and Marc have written, we think the contest have already started. We may just look over all of the posts, here in this thread, and offer it to someone here. We would wait till the other contest was over and a winner announced. You are right in thinking it would be crazy for one person to win two farms. Ours is in Colorado and theirs is in Ohio. How would anyone make that stretch? It would be crazy, to say the least, indeed.

  We have been reading these posts since this thread has started. Both posting threads. We have been saying for a long time now “Why don’t we just offer it to one of these people”. Then we thought it would be more fair to offer it to more dreamers than just the few posting in this thread. Sense the ugly comments have gone up, we thought we just may go ahead and do it after all. We have read a lot of wonderful peoples stories on here. It would be so hard to choose. Thank God for judges!

  We will start looking for a few, non bias, folks that will be willing to come read all of these posts and choose a winner for us. Would that be fair. We could put an ad in the local paper seeking judges and pay them for their time. That might be more fair than asking someone we already know. We will look into it and post something on which way we are going on the contest. Essays or this thread?

  What does everyone else think?

• 74 Cynthia // Mar 20, 2008 at 3:49 pm

  Lance! Thank you SO much for writing what you said! When I read what Simone and Marc wrote, all I thought was, “Uh oh. Forum Drama. PLEASE don’t let this forum become pointless!”

  Thanks to you, it hasn’t! I too, enjoy reading what people have to say about the farm, and finding out info on it and everything.

  I currently live on a farm in Florida, but its just not the same! We only have two seasons here. Super humid summer/Hurricanes or 70 degrees, and then once in awhile non-stop rain and wind that causes double red flag warnings on the Gulf…Like this past week for example. Hate to be on Spring Break, trying to soak up some rays on the beach right now! Instead lifeguards are rescuing people from the waves left and right.

  My family and I had all moved out of Howard, Ohio when I was too young to really remember anything. My siblings on the other hand, grew up in that town for a good 11 years. Luckily, we always came back every summer. And I have always enjoyed it! I hear the constant remark from my parents’ old friends, saying, “Wow! Look how much you’ve grown! You were THIS tall last time I saw you!” and they always put their hand at least 2 or 3 feet above the ground. Haha. And its almost everyone in that town! I guess my Mom knows who the neighbors of the people with this farm.

  My Mom now owns a house that overlooks the water in Apple Valley Lake. Our old house is located on the other side of the lake. Every year for the 4th of July my siblings all get together and its like a big ol’ reunion!

  My sister is married to a Marine, with 3 kids, my brother (who is currently living in that lakehouse) just went through an ugly divorce and is a doctor as well, and my other brother is an elem. school teacher is Lima, Peru! So we don’t quite get to see each other as often as we would like to.

  Having that farm would be such a dream! I admit I’m getting kinda antsy to know when the big announcement will be, but until then, I’ll just carry on with my current life, and HOPEFULLY *crosses fingers* get to live my new life very soon!

  If not. You say your farm is in Colorado eh? I LOVE Colorado. I have always wanted to move either there or Montana. I’m a country girl!Haha. I also don’t mind snow. In fact, I miss snow! Give me more details on this farm you speak of! Please?!

• 75 Charles Knowlton // Mar 20, 2008 at 3:54 pm

  I notice my name being mentioned and I take offense. My entering this contest had nothing to do with anything other than time and chance. I wanted to help the owners out with their problem but wanted to help myself out at the same time with my own dream. At 81 my dream will soon end one way or the other but I hope the owners can continue theirs.

• 76 Marc // Mar 20, 2008 at 4:16 pm

  Hey Lance (I mean Tammy - obviously one and the same!) Nothing wrong or unkind was said on my part. The contest rules did not say the person with the saddest story or the hardest life or the most poor choices made or the most kids, or whatever will win the farm. The contest rules said STATE WHY YOUR ESSAY (not you - BUT YOUR ESSAY) should be the winning essay. I think the way everyone in here is telling their story AGAIN AND AGAIN is to try to gain the most sympathy. The fact that some of your said they should just “take a loss” and STILL give the farm away even if they don’t collect enough money is RIDICULOUS! How UNKIND AND SELFISH AND UNFAIR of you to think that! They can’t sell the property in today’s market, so they are doing the next best thing. And yet, as usual, THAT’S NOT ENOUGH for some people out there. YOu still want more. You want to know who the winner is RIGHT NOW. You demand to know. You have a right to know since you invested $100. big deal! BE PATIENT. I am sure you will continue to complain when you find out YOU are not the winner afterall. And if you are going to put quotations around words form the bible - quote it directly - don’t paraphrase please!

• 77 Lance // Mar 20, 2008 at 4:29 pm

  No offence meant Charles. I was mentioning your name as one of the people posting kind words or words if good information. I just wanted to thank each person, by name, that has been polite to all others in the thread. I am sorry that I have offended you. Please accept my apologies.

  My farm is just over twenty two acres and is located in the valley near Delta Colorado. But not quite in the dunes. It’s mostly open land but does have a good bit of trees scattered about the property. It has been operated as a live stock ranch for over thirty years now. The wife and I have two children that do not wish to ranchers and would like to see the farm go to a loving family that does. Please note that one does not have to operate it as a live stock ranch but could easily operate it as a produce farm as the ground is rich.

  It only has one pond and one home but does have three stables and four barns sitting on twenty two acres. I’d say it is a bit less than what is being offered by the other family but nothing short of beautiful and rewarding.

• 78 Lance // Mar 20, 2008 at 5:13 pm

  Marc, not all of the quotes came from the bible. I am sorry that I did not make that clear at the time I made my post. I will remember to do so in any future posts that I may submit.

  Everyone seems to be kind here. Okay, the one post of taking the loss was a bit out of line. I do agree with you on that one. Divorce is a large enough loss for anyone, no greater loss is needed. Lisa may just believe that if one owns such a large piece of property they could afford the greater loss. She may just be being silly about it. That does not make her a bad person though. Why be so cruel? You do not know her or if she was just being silly or not. I do not even know. Only she does.

  People have such high hopes here. Why does that bother you? Why does it make you so angry that they have had hard lives or have made a few wrong decisions in their lives? No one is perfect. We all make mistakes in life. Should they not be allowed to dream from here on out because of it? Is it too late for them to use the many lessons, learned from their mistakes, in life to make things right? I have made many, many mistakes in my life. I made a lot of them before settling down with my wife but most of them afterwards. I am not perfect, you are not perfect and non of the other people in this thread are perfect.

  These people need to be able to dream of greater things in their lives. They deserve to dream of greater things in their lives and they have the right to do so. Everyone does, even you and I.

  I know that our creator will move the judges to choose the winning essay. I will, however, pray for you and your family’s entry to be just what the judges are looking for in an essay. Maybe you will win it. That would be very nice for you and your family. But I do not believe that anyone here would complain that you were chosen and not them. I could be wrong, I do not know. I doubt it though. They all seem to be praying for everyone and just want to see someone that will love and care for it to have it. I’m sure they all may feel a bit let down that they were not chosen, but not angry about it.

  Here’s where I really offend someone. Tammy I apologize now for what I am about to type. You seem to be a kind woman, but I would not wish to be you. No, I’m not Tammy. I wouldn’t be a woman if you paid me to be one. Not her or any other woman. I have watched my wife struggle and fight to raise our two children and I would NEVER want her job! I am happy being a man. Women, I believe, have it a lot harder than we men do. I don’t want to get into the battle of the genders but I do have my views on it. I am so sorry to have brought it up but had to say my peace on that one. Please, no offence Tammy.

• 79 Stephanie // Mar 20, 2008 at 6:30 pm

  Marc,

  If you don’t like my posts, or someone else’s, feel free to overlook them and just move on the next post. Most people here are posting back and forth to each other. Not just general comments but to someone. I am so sorry you think myself or my posts are pathetic.

  I will no longer post in this room. I would hate to become something more than just pathetic because of it. You are a very mean and small minded person and you , along with Simone, hurt some feelings here. I do hope ya’ll feel much bigger now that ya’ll have put every one else in here down.

  You and your little friend have ruined all the happiness in here. For me anyway. I personally hope you do win the farm! If seeing other people trying to win it makes you this angry, I can’t imagine how angry you may become if you didn’t win it. I’m worried that you might even kill yourself if you don’t win it.

  You don’t need to reply to this post either. I will not be back to read whatever hateful or smart a%#ed comment you may feel compelled to leave. But before I go, I’m just guessing that part of telling why your essay should win might involve a few personal reasons too. I don’t think it meant to write, I think my essay should win because I double checked my spelling, used proper punctuation and grammar. It says that the essays will be judged on content. I think that would mean that you should add your personal reasons for wanting the farm. DUH?!

  You are a hateful little person . Toby should boot you for being an A%S and talking other peoples posts down and calling them pathetic. That other man should have been a lot less nice to you. I’m glad someone said something to you. I’m not glad he was so nice about it. He should have been just as mean to you as you were to others.

  Simone, you are the one that started all the hatefulness. Marc just jumped on your ignorant little band wagon. Please don’t feel as if all of this was targeted towards Marc alone. He was just stupid enough to follow up on his stupidity whereas you weren’t. That’s all.

  I will continue to pray for all of ya’ll and your dreams of winning the farm. I have to admit, though, I will be saying an extra little prayer for Marc. I would hate to see him lose and hang himself over it. And Lisa, I like you. I think that, overly nice, man should have backed you more than he did. Things don’t always come out the same when typed as they do when spoken. All expression is lost.

  Goodbye ya’ll. I will miss this room and all the nice people. Edna, you inspire me and a lot of other people. I hope you will always be here to keep peoples hopes up and not let the jerks drag them down. If you leave the room, a lot of people will have lost something great…….the love and hope that God has blessed you with. It really does rub of on others. Thanks Edna.

  Oh, before I forget, Tammy is my aunt. You don’t know her, her life or anything else about her (outside her posts here) so don’t comment bad about her. Don’t comment bad things to anyone in here. Tammy had everything that life had to offer. She didn’t make a bad choice that caused her to lose it either. She sold it all to get the money she needed to save her sons life. Because his life was worth it. Even though she kmew that the surgery would only add a few more months to his life. She made the right choice as far as I am conserned. My mother was killed. My aunt sold what little she had gained back in her life to help pay for her funeral and support me and my siblings. Thats one hell of a woman if you ask me. She never had to ask for help with her kids and she doesn’t have to ask now that she has all of us to. She busts her A%S everyday and so does my uncle.

  Maybe you should find out how people end up where they have before you start calling their stories pathetic!

  And this is only half of what I wante to say to you and Miss Simone. But like that other man, I was trying to be nice.

• 80 Tammy // Mar 20, 2008 at 7:09 pm

  Toby, I am very sorry to sat that I have to agree with Stephanie. I read the posts made by Simone and Marc and took great offence to the. I am sure that a lot of others have as well. I will not be returning to this thread as long as such comments are being allowed.

  Lance, I am not offended at all. I understand, I do have a lot of children to tend to and raise. It’s not as easy as some women make it look. And to answer your question about working on a computer, yes I do. I have taken up work at the campus office. It is a lot of fun and I am getting some on the job training too. Now once I graduate I will have some experience.

  I will no longer be keeping up with this thread until someone e-mails me and says that the rude comments have ended. Bye everyone. Good luck!

  HERE IS AN UPDATE FROM THE FARM ESSAY CONTEST SITE (http://www.americandream-farmessaycontest.com/

  As posted on this contest web site, our final date for receiving any last minute essays was March 15, 2008. At this time we were to determine a winner, or to continue the contest if the number of entries was somewhat close to meeting the necessary minimum of 3,700 entries. Unfortunately, despite many hundreds of posted fliers, dozens upon dozens of press releases sent to all major networks, radio stations, and misc. television programs such as Oprah, Ellen, Good Morning America, and the Today Show, and advertising on Craig’s List around the world, we have received, as of 3/15/08 only 179 total entries. Public awareness of this contest was absolutely necessary for it to be successful; but it appears that those who were in a position to make this a reality felt that this contest was not note-worthy. I was shocked by the final total – believing from day-one that this was going to be successful. By law we can continue the contest for a total of one year, but considering the small number of already received entries after six months, this seems futile. Consequently, we are narrowing down to the top 25 essays and submitting them to the judges. The winner will receive half of the collected total cash received which will amount to $8,950.00. The winner will be contacted as per contest rules within the next 30 days.

  (Marc and Simone: Please note the first sentence in the following paragraph. Now do you feel as if your comments were appropriate?)

  Thank you all for sharing your lives with us. I have read and re-read all entries and feel as if I know you all. I am Truly sorry that I will not be awarding the farm to one of you as this has been my dream for quite some time. And I apologize for the financial hardship that this has placed on many of you; I can only hope that the cash (although small in comparison) will become useful to the winner.

• 81 Jo // Mar 20, 2008 at 7:30 pm

  I am going to have to agree with Stephanie and Tammy and say that it is best to just stop visiting this blog until the rudeness has ended. I, TOO, HAVE TAKEN A GREAT OFFENSE TO THE COMMENTS MADE BY, BOTH, SIMONE AND MARC.

  Than you for the update Tammy. It is very sad to read of the low number of entries and that no one will get a dream farm. I do hope that the family will have better luck in a traditional sale of their farm. I pray that the winner of the contest can put the money towards a great cause.

  I will like someone to send me a message once the rudeness ends also.

  Tobey, thank you for helping to keep everyone up to date at all times.

• 82 Anonymous // Mar 20, 2008 at 9:39 pm

  This has been the friendliest group of people until today. What did I miss? I have never seen a group of people so angry over something that they have no control over. We have all entered and we all hope to win. We all have the same goals but none of us has any control over who’s essay will win. So why all the arguments here? Where did all of the hostility come from all of a sudden?

  It doesn’t matter who started what or why. All that matters is that we are able to bring this back around to the peaceful group that it was up until now. No one should be called out by anyone but everyone needs to just stop all of this now.

  Alright, I will go first.

  Hello everyone. I understand that the funds raised will be split with a winner within the next thirty days. How wonderful! I know that we all had our hearts set on winning a farm but can be okay with having the money. Who couldn’t use a little extra cash these days? I am so excited that the end has finally come but feel very sorry that the owners did not get the number of entries needed. It would have been so nice if we could have come out of this contest with two winners (an entrant and the owners).

  Gook Luck to you all and may GOD bless you and your loved ones.

• 83 Maryann // Mar 21, 2008 at 6:23 am

  I’ve been trying to find out about the farm contest in ohio and got directed here from my searches. I went to the web site that was listed a few messages ago to read the uodate that was included here but I can’t find that wording. When I go to the farms web site, it does’nt say that 179 people entered: it just says about the contest. Where did Tammy get the information posted above? I ca’nt find that same information and if it is true I am so upset that the farm will not be given away. Are you sure that they are’nt going to give it away? How do you know that?

• 84 Amy P // Mar 21, 2008 at 7:00 am

  Hi Everyone–

  The farm owners have posted a message on their website that the essay contest hasn’t drawn enough entries to give the farm away. They received 179 entries and are giving the top 25 to the judges. Whoever wins will be awarded a little over $8,000. Check out their website and see for yourself………….

  Have a great weekend everybody.

• 85 Hopeful Also, but sitting on the sidelines // Mar 21, 2008 at 8:49 am

  Lance, I would hope you would do your own contest. Many of us have followed this but not posted. Some people are not comfortable putting their stories out for the world to read on the internet, but have just as much reason for needing a farm as those who do. Some people are just more private. Please allow God to choose from more than just a handful of people for your farm. I have a farm I just bought, and I love it. My dreams are soaring. I would like to see you offer that dream to more than just a handful of people here. And also, the limit to the number of words makes one choose their priorities and words carefully! I loved that! I hope and pray you start your own contest! Don’t limit God! He knows who should have your place and it may or may not be a person posting here. Even a local person in your area may have a story just as heart wrenching as the any of these. And more likely to keep your farm and not sell it off because they don’t want to relocate. I entered this contest, then looked at a place nearby and bought it. Now I am dreaming of the hopes and plans I had for the Ohio farm

• 86 Lance // Mar 21, 2008 at 1:44 pm

  Hopeful… you are right. We have talked with our pastor and he has stated the same things. We will be contacting a young man this week about helping us to set up a web page for our contest. The wife and I are very ignorant in that aspect. We also plan to sign up at the essay contest site http://www.essaycontests.com . They advertised this current contest on there too. Thank you for your ideas and suggestions. You are very smart.

  This will be the last comment I post to this thread. The wife and I have sat back quietly, until now, reading along to see how everything was going in this contest. We will continue to do so again at this point. This thread is about their contest and not ours. I feel very rude for announcing our farm here during their contest. I just wanted to stop the ugly comments going on.

  I enjoyed commenting with all of you. Check the essay contest web site later for details on our farm giveaway.

• 87 edna // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:35 pm

  Hello everyone, I am very grateful for the kindness of strangers and the words of encouragement we have shared with one another. Please try to forgive a few negative postings from people who may not understand what we dreamers share with each other. A love of God, and the fellowship of friendship bonded by all of us hoping and praying that the winner will be chosen by need not greed. I trully thank God that I have been enriched in Spirit by the postings of all of you fine people. I would also like to remind the negatives that this essay contest winner is chosen by an assigned number on our essays not what we write on here. We are writing on here as comfort, and I for one have taken great comfort and pleasure to be one of the writers among these worthy people. Thank you all for sharing your stories. Angels do come in many forms. Lance, I think you should listen to( hopeful also but on the sidelines) and open your essay contest to many. There are so very many deserving people out there, and I am sure that God has a plan always. I found this site by accident I had thought, but I know that God directed me here. I am praying for everyone to be happy and blessed by God. Good luck everyone, and thank you for thinking of me as an inspiration. I am humbled. Edna

• 88 Charles Knowlton // Mar 23, 2008 at 6:20 am

  Someone mentioned another farm contest in Orwell, Ohio. Can anyone tell me how to find out more about this.

• 89 Tammy // Mar 23, 2008 at 2:33 pm

  win a business and a home @
  http://businessgiveawayportclinton.com/

  Win a farm (orwell Ohio)
  http://www.winafarm.bravehost.com/

• 90 Renee // Mar 24, 2008 at 9:41 am

  Mr. Knowlton,

  H