The Weber / Doll Family Farm c. 1905

Back Forty Acres is at the Doll family’s Centennial Farm, located in Sylvan Township, southwest of Chelsea, Michigan. The homestead was built in 1850 and purchased by Simeon Weber in 1864. It is surrounded by 180 acres of cropland, hardwood forest, ponds and streams. Two huge barns, built of hand-hewn logs, fieldstone and milled timber, are still in use today.

The great great grandsons of Simeon Weber, brothers Larry and Kevin Doll, grew up here doing the chores required on a working farm. They generally had over 200 sheep and 50 head of cattle at any one time, along with chickens and rabbits. Later in life both took “town jobs”, but kept close to their roots.

In fact, Kevin built his home next to the family farm. He and wife DeAnn wanted their family to consume food that was good tasting and nutritious. Kevin cleared out a section of the barn and began the process. Their sons Nick and Ben were encouraged to participate. Rabbits, chickens and goats were raised both for meat production and for show in the Chelsea Community Fair.

Things started slowly, but word of mouth took over. Family and friends wanted to share in the bounty! 

Larry moved back into the neighborhood, in a house down the road a mile with his wife Stephanie. They had similar food interests and joined forces.