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This is the story of the Wakefield family, whose six-generation Pennsylvania dairy farm faces an existential threat when one brother demands his share in cash after a devastating accident. Journalist Cade Miller documents the aftermath as brothers JT and Thad are forced to sell off their heritage piece by piece, then fight to rebuild what remains of their legacy. Through intimate access and powerful storytelling, this two-part podcast reveals the true cost of preserving a vanishing way of American life. "The Wakefields: Two Brothers, Six Generations" is a production of the News Lab at Penn State.
My grandma used to tell me something about farmers. She'd say, farmers have to be hardworking, they have to love what they do, and they have to be a little bit crazy. When I told her I was gonna share that quote on this podcast, she wanted me to explain that crazy isn't wild or odd. She means farmers are bold. They have to care so much about their craft that even if they don't have a steady income, they keep trying to do better.
Cade Miller:I'm Cade Miller. Bedford County is a tiny slice of Pennsylvania. My mom grew up there on a dairy farm. In fact, the majority of my family lives in Bedford today. And the Wakefields, they live across the valley.
Cade Miller:They're family friends.
Cade Miller:Once it's in your blood, you can't get out. It's like the mafia. You know too much. As a journalist with the Penn State News Lab, I've documented what happens when a sixth generation legacy faces its greatest challenge.
Wakefield:"And then my uncle called me and he said that he wanted out."
Cade Miller:I've witnessed as the Wakefield brothers faced a devastating choice that would test the boldness my grandma spoke about.
Cade Miller:"Well, tell me about that."
Wakefield:"The farm sale?"
Cade Miller:Yeah.
Wakefield:"That was the worst day of my life. That was that was rough."
Cade Miller:What happens when the only life you've ever known is suddenly sold piece by piece when six generations of work stand at the edge of disappearing.
Cade Miller:"And and you you haven't made a dollar yet." "The Wakefields: Two brothers, Six generations" a two part podcast produced by the News Lab at Penn State and first aired on West Virginia Public Broadcasting and Inside Appalachia. Now available wherever you get your podcasts.