From Kentucky Farm Bureau
In 2023, Kentucky Farm Bureau began a program to honor the Legacy Farms in our beautiful state. Farms that have endured the test of time for generation after generation. There were 120 of those Legacy Farms recognized from 80 counties. In his final year as KFB President, Mark Haney began the program. He said the state has such a rich history of agriculture, and the Legacy Farm program is a way to acknowledge the many accomplishments made by each. “The history of our agriculture industry can only be fully told by the families who have devoted their lives to their farms and a way of life many have forgotten or never knew,” Haney said. “It has been our intention that the Legacy Farm Program would recognize the commitments these families have made and their dedication to an industry none of us can live without.”
The Gardner Farm of Ivy Point was nominated by our local Farm Bureau office this year and was chosen as one of those prestigious farms. This local landmark is located at 135 Licking Station Rd, at the horseshoe bend of the Licking River in Salyersville, KY. It has been owned by the Gardner family since the 1830’s with the present owner being Ben F. Gardner. Ben is a direct descendent of Benjamin F. Gardner (1811-1860) the original owner of the farm. Six generations of the Gardner family are buried in the Gardner Cemetery, located on the property. The Gardner Farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. Also on the property stands the Licking Station Blockhouse, built by early settlers to protect themselves from Indian attacks. During the 1830-1860 period the original owner, Benjamin Gardner operated a trading post that stood by the road, which ran below the house. Gardner’s specialty was Ginseng, which he bought and processed himself, then shipped it to buyers in Hong Kong. The farm is significant for its contribution to agriculture during the antebellum era with a major crop being strawberries.
The Benjamin F. Gardner House is very well-preserved. Ben and Ruth Gardner spent decades restoring it, room-by-room. The home was originally a log house built in the dog-trot structure. The Gardner Farm is rich in Civil War history with over 400 soldiers’ graves on the farm. Known for their hospitality and well-stocked food supplies, the Gardner Farm played an important role in the Civil War as both Union and Confederate soldiers camped out there. Like many Kentucky families, they were split down the middle on the war issue, so they played no favorites when troops, even from KY, came to stay.
Today, many in our town know the Gardner Farm as the place to go for pictures, a history lesson, an occasional wedding backdrop but most popular is the Gardner Family’s efforts to decorate the entire frontage of the farm for Halloween and Christmas. Each year around the holidays, the farm comes to life for the entire community to enjoy, free of charge. The Gardner family has always been very generous with their beautiful farm, allowing schools, individuals, groups or just about anyone that stops in, a tour of the homeplace and beautiful farm setting. We are very fortunate to have the history and legacy they strive so hard to preserve. Congratulations to the entire Gardner family for being recognized and awarded this honor.
