Do you want to own two houses on a pond with out-buildings on 41 acres?
But, don’t have the $400,000 it would take to purchase this piece of heaven?
Well, you’re in luck. For only $1,600 per word you can win this piece of property in an essay contest. The American Dream Farm Essay Contest is being held through December 18 for 11105 Hill Road in Howard, Ohio. Write the winning 250 word essay, out of 4,000 entries, and submit the $100 entry fee for your chance to own this property.
The property is owned by Michael Compton, of Howard, and Kimberly George Compton, of Grandview Heights, and they have put a lot of money into the property – $130,000 in their words – worth of updates. However a divorce has led to this being sold.
Kimberly George Compton has a note on the front-page of the Web site:
Real estate essay contests of this type have been organized in this country for quite some time; however, my interest in the idea was inspired by the movie “The Spitfire Grill”. I fell in love with the happier of the messages passed on in the story — that dreams really can come true. It is the American Dream — to own your own home. This is my way, our way, of helping this dream to come true for one person, one couple, or one family.
We love our farm, and divorce is the only reason that we seek new ownership for it. The menu along the left side of the page links to photographs of the property, contest rules and stipulations, and property disclosures.
There are many who will be skeptical and who will consider this contest to be a scam. If you are one of those people, then I am sure that you will not wish to participate. To the rest of you who believe that good things really can happen, that the American Dream can come true for someone like you, I urge you to submit your essay explaining why you should be the recipient of our farm, and I wish you all the best of luck.
All precautions have been taken to assure that his contest is strictly above-board, devoid of possible discrimination, and within the confines of the law by conforming to the rules and regulations of previous real estate essay contests. By this Christmas, one of you will be the owner of our beautiful and unique horse farm. Good luck.”
The first thing I thought when I saw this on Craig’s List was “this is a scam.” But after reading more about it, and getting a feel for it, I think this is an ingenious way to sell a house quickly in an area where receiving the appraised value would be very difficult.
This property is located in southeast Knox County – mid-way between Howard and Millwood. This is a beautful area, but not an area where a $400,000 house is going to sell quickly – if at all.
Be sure to read the rules and regulations to get all the details.
So put pen to paper and come up with your best entry and who knows, by Christmas you could be living in a beautiful new home for $100.
Top photograph by Trish Parisy (c) and used via license of Stock.xchng; bottom photography used courtesy of AmericanDreamFarmEssayContest.com.
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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.
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?
Has a winner ben announced yet for the dream farm essay contest?
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
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
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.
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?
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
Thanks Toby.
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
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.
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
We all took the time to write an essay and sent in our money, we all do deserve an answer soon…….
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……..
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.
Thanks for the update Ivy. I hope they share before he does.
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.
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.
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 NEIGHBORâ€.
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 yourselfâ€.
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.
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.
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 peopleâ€. 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?
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?!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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
Someone mentioned another farm contest in Orwell, Ohio. Can anyone tell me how to find out more about this.
win a business and a home @
Win a farm (orwell Ohio)
http://www.winafarm.bravehost.com/
Mr. Knowlton,
Here is one website about the farm in Orwell Ohio:
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/05/15/write.html
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2007/05/15/write.html
Sorry, for some reason the post did not put the end of the web address
Well, I guess that is the answer we have all been waiting for. I too have been following this thread but not posting. Some of you have poured your hearts out and gotten prayers in response, I hope you have felt it. There are good people in this world, I find that so refreshing! Best of luck to you all, it has been fun dreaming the dream!
I have been following this site since February, although never posting to it. I too entered the essay contest . I had hopes of starting a ministry called “Under the Broom Tree” that would allow single mom’s a place for rest and refreshment and refocus.
I sure that like all of you–I am also eagerly awaiting who has been chosen. It certainly seems that those who shared their stories, have done what the owner of the farm was hoping, that it would be like the Spitfire Grill.
I wanted the farm for myself, son, and mentally challenged brother. I wanted it a place where people with disabilities could learn to ride horses, and the basic care of horses. Something that would give them pride…..Who has WON? I think we all deserve to know, as so many have followed, this blog. Lisa
We are all anxiously waiting to see who has won. I’ve been checking the website every day as well as this blog every day to see if there is any news……….. I had entered the essay contest too hoping to start an equine rescue and education center for people to learn proper feed, nutrition and care of the horse………
Who ever wins will be very deserving, as I’m sure it is a very difficult decision for the judges.
Best of luck to everyone!
It’s been disappointing to read the flaming comments back and forth on this site and I decided I wanted no part in it any more – people started treating this as some sort of official information point – then arguing over the things said here as if they were set in stone.
If any of you refer to the original website for the contest, you’ll notice that Kim has 30 days from March 20th (the date she wrote the letter) until she announces a winner. That’s April 19th. So please give the judges time to review the essays and stop fighting amongst yourselves.
I have to say, almost $9000 in winnings for a $100.00 entry fee is a pretty good return, with 1/179 odds as well. I hope that the winner is grateful and can put the money to good use – and focuses on how lucky they are to have appealed to the judges with their essay rather than on how they didn’t get the whole farm.
For those of you that didn’t drop to the levels of arguing via webpost, thank you.
Toby, Sadie, thanks to you as well since you did your best to help publicize the contest.
Tabitha
I wanted to win the property so that I could create a nonprofit facility for senior citizens who didn’t have loved ones to care for them. I wanted to get them involved in the care of the property and help them to be draw and be creative. I am a licensed art teacher and an experienced equestrian with 8 horses of my own that I use for children and senior therapy and enjoyment. I have the money and funding already to run the property as it would need to be run. I wasn’t asking for it to save me from financial distress as it seems many are. I am not sure why everyone is asking who the winner is because on the website it says they will tell us in 30 THIRTY days, that is at least April 15th if not a little beyond that. My brother entered the contest and wanted it to do organic farming for the community and to do free horse training for the children in the community. Over 28 personal friends and family members of mine entered the contest, so I am sure one of us will win the money!!!!
I have sat quietly reading this blog from the beginning of this contest and was very disappointed to see the bickering that came about toward the end of this contest. There was very childish behavior exhibited. We all had our reasons for wanting this farm.
I have written a letter to Kim and have decided to post part of it here.
To Kim:
I was very saddened to see the contest end, as I am sure all of us were. I cannot begin to imagine what you must be feeling right now. I know it was your dream to give your beautiful farm to someone in this manner.
All that entered this contest had dreams of why they wanted this farm. I had dreams also, but these dreams were not strictly for myself. They were for children. The program I wanted to run there was for at risk youth and handicapped children. Your property would have been perfect for this much-needed program. And being centrally located in the state it would have been accessible for all areas of Ohio. I currently head a program like this on leased property in northern Ohio. A little out of the way for the majority in Ohio to take advantage of. The grant writer and school psychologist I had helping me with this were very excited about all the possibilities that your property offered.
You have a wonderful giving heart Kim for wanting to give your home to someone this way. Unfortunately, for you and everyone, it did not happen.
Once again, I want to thank you for giving me one last chance in life to dream.
Best wishes to you in all you do in the future.
Sandra
Tabitha, I totally understand how you may have become upset. I am one of the few guilty of being ugly here. I just got so mad when Marc and Semone just started to post the most rude and ugly things about all the other people posting here. Just down right hateful things at that!
My neice, Stephanie, was another. We can admitt our guilt in it all. I got onto to Stephanie for her comments. They were totally out of line! But so was I.
The people o posting here may bit a bit uninformed due to lack of attention paid to the contest web site info. or what. But having them ask the questions, that the answers were already give for, gave me just another excuse to go back to the site and gaze at the beauty of that farm all over again.
When I posted the following, I was not being a rear. I was honestly wanting to know if they would slit the money or stick to the extention rules.
(“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?”)
It was their choice and I was simply wondering which way they had planned to go. You had asked (in an earlier post) which we all would like to see them do.
I, too, am very sorry to learn that the farm will not be given away. But you are right, the money would be a wonderful prize for whoever won it.
I would like to say I am sorry to everyone, even Marc and Simone, about getting angry and posting my ugly thoughts.
I am a christian and do feel ashamed of myself now.
If I were the current owners of the farm, I would make sure that the winner of the contest was NOT someone who posted their story here. The contest was supposed to be anonymous. Yet everyone here told their story and gave their name. That is not right and that is not fair. I am so disgusted with how everyone on here is being so demanding about when the winner will be announced. You people are so inpatient and rude and mean. Saying that they should give the farm away ANYWAY. You were demanding to know right now who the winner was. As if they were going to rip you off or something and not pick a winner. I can’t believe what I just read a few posts ago about someone saying “last chance for a dream” that is ridiculous. You putting all your hopes and all the responsibility on someone else and making that other person(the owners of the farm) “responsible” for your dreams coming true. That is your last chance to accomplish your goals? Those of you who continue to write that I am this awful person are just made because you know you have been wrong and YOU are embarrassed by YOUR behavior and comments here. I have said and done nothing wrong. I am sticking up for the owners of the property. Shame on you for being so rude and greedy and ungrateful. If I were the owners and read this website, I would not pick any one of you. I would not post the winner’s name I would just say a winner has been selected and notified and I wouldn’t post the winning essay. Stop blaming ME for your rude and inconsiderate comments towards the owners of the property. They can announce the winner whenever they want. Stop waiting for your life to change by putting the burden on someone else.
I don’t remember what the essay contest website said, since it has been changed to reflect the end of the contest, but I believe that it would make sense to protect the identity of the winner of the money/farm and I’m not sure that legally, as long as someone were chosen, that Kim and the family would have to disclose this info.
Would you want a bunch of angry/hasty people knowing you won the money they wanted?