BEAR CREEK FARMS
It all started in 1987 when Charles and Pam Lemond purchased there first home, which consisted of 70 acres with a house and barn. Charles had been immersed in construction and worked as a contractor for almost his entire life, yet now the exciting prospect of purchasing a farm represented an entirely new adventure filled with opportunities. We decided to rent the expansive farm grounds to our neighbor specifically for grain crop production. I had always harbored ambitions to improve and expand on the existing 70 acres. In 2014, we took the significant step of purchasing 3 Boer goats and 6 TestMasters, marking the beginning of a challenging yet rewarding journey. The challenges quickly presented themselves: fencing requirements, hoof trimming demands, kidding seasons, and rigorous parasite control. I quickly discovered that I did not have nearly enough area fenced to accommodate our growing needs. By 2018, our son Stephen expressed a desire to start helping out on the farm. I had been discussing with the neighbor who rented our land the possibility of converting it all into pasture. Thus, fencing commenced on 15 acres of the property. By the end of 2018, we took a major leap forward by purchasing 50 Savanna cross goats, a pivotal move that marked the true beginning of our commercial herd. The following year, we dedicated the remaining crop ground entirely to pasture. In 2020, we made significant improvements by installing automatic watering systems and continuing to fence the rest of the property while juggling our full-time jobs. During that same year, my wife and I attended the Savanna Spectacular in Springfield, Missouri. This event ignited our true passion for Savanna goats. We seized the opportunity to purchase 2 registered Fullblood DNA parent-verified bucks and 6 registered Fullblood DNA verified does from Rex Dunning, whom we had met at the sale. We began incorporating Fullblood Savanna Bucks into our commercial herd, and soon we were astonished by the incredible improvements in the overall quality of the herd that these Savanna Bucks were producing. In September of 2022, I made the decision to retire, allowing me to work full-time on the farm. While it may not have been a traditional retirement, it granted me the freedom to finally pursue the projects I had always wanted to complete. Perhaps now I will have the chance to enjoy those new golf clubs I purchased just before retiring 9 months ago. We have been truly blessed to have the Southern Indiana Purdue Agriculture Center nearby, with invaluable support from Jason Tower and the lab at SIPAC, which aids in diagnosing the causes of animal deaths. Moreover, we have forged many friendships through the various events and through Pedigree International.
Charles & Stephen Lemond
