History of the Land

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Twin Oaks Barn is situated in the middle of 70 acres on Umstead Ranch. Umstead Ranch is a working beef cattle and hay farm (with a few extra critters sprinkled around). In the 1920’s, LW and Mildred Umstead began purchasing the land to farm tobacco. They purchased around 450 acres in all. They had tobacco barns built on the property and ponds for irrigation. LW decided to switch to beef cows and included his son, Willis, in the “cow business.” After LW passed away, Willis took over the business as a “gentleman” cattle farmer (meaning he kept his day job!). At one time, the land supported upwards of 300 herford, brahma and beef master cows. Hwy 70 bypass divided the land, and Willis and wife Barbara sold some of the land to individuals that wanted to enjoy JoCo’s rural feel. In the early 2000’s, Willis sold off the last of the cows and switched to focusing on his pastures and hay. He produced some of the best alfalfa hay around, as well as fescue.  Willis and Barbara’s daughters, Cathy and Beth, grew up riding horses, working cows, cutting pastures, and slinging hay.  At the end of a hard farm day, friends would gather at the barns under the shade of a huge oak tree for tall tales and a bit of Willis’ specialty drink, Tootie Pink.