Wilfred (Bill) and Jean Jones bought their current farm known as Wilean Farms, LLC, in September of 1959. They started with 4 old cows from their parents and raised calves from those cows. In 1999, they expanded their farm and added a milking parlor. Currently they have 200 cows and 200 heifers.
Wilean Farms began shipping milk to Dairylea Cooperative, but switched to Upstate Niagara Cooperative around 50 years ago. Since, the farm has been awarded a 20-year Quality Milk Award and have been a Dairy of Distinction for 30 years. Their grandson, Tom Graser, his wife, Elaine, and son, Henry, are currently working into taking the farm over to carry on the tradition.
Bill and Jean have raised their family on this very farm as well. They have five children, all who continue to live in the community with their spouses. From their children they have 20 grandchildren (15 married) and 33 great-grandchildren! Family gatherings sure have grown over the past 60 years and so have their hearts.
Along with the farm, Bill & Jean have had a well-known produce stand for several years. The produce stand can be found stocked with in season garden veggies including corn, potatoes and squash among many others. Peaches, apples and pumpkins are a staple for the stand as well! They often have fresh eggs, but they are not on the shelves for long!
Bill and Jean have been a staple in their community since their arrival in 1959. Bill has been a volunteer fireman for 61 years, serving as chief for many, and Jean has been in the Women’s Auxiliary for about as many! You could always find them lending a hand at the Fire Department’s Chicken BBQs, meat raffles or any other fundraiser being held. All of their kids and grandchildren participated in 4-H and/or FFA. Bill and Jean have supported these programs for several years by purchasing market animals at the Cattaraugus County Fair.
When asked how they have been successful in an alarmingly decreasing industry, Bill says you have to “Work at it.” It takes perseverance, take the highs with the lows, and remember it’s not only a business, it’s our way of life.
