Fourth generation Leelanau native Peggy Core, 77, is a proud land steward of the family farm “Rex Dobson Ruby Ellen Farm” in Bingham Township.
“I’ve gone north and south and east and west, but I’ve always come back. And I’ve been to Europe a couple of times, but I have one foot in the dirt here. My history is here. My family is here,” Core said.
William Core homesteaded the Bingham Township property in 1865 after service in the Union Army, beginning the farm’s nearly 150 years of continuous ownership by one family.
William married Margaret in 1867 and raised eight children, while increasing their land holding to nearly 500 acres. “Ruby” of the name “Ruby Ellen Farm” is the great-granddaughter of William and Margaret.
In 1903, William and Margaret started to divide, sell, and transfer the roughly 500 acres of land to four of their eight children.
Peggy’s father, Rex, was one of the airs of the estate and cared for the farm every waking moment. Harvey passed away in 1969, which made Rex solely responsible for all operations on Ruby Ellen Farm.
Beginning in 1999, Ruby Ellen Farm was established as a 501c3 non-profit with family and friends founding a board of directors that worked to glean detailed farm and historic information from Rex, resulting in hundreds of hours or audio and video tapes for the archives.
The archival information and thousands of photographs are being electronically categorized and will eventually be made available to researchers and the general public.
Ruby passed away in 1993 and the farm was properly named in honor of the loving mother, daughter, and friend.
The Farm has 15 buildings tucked into the rolling hills. The farm still remains a producing cherry farm, hay, corn, a few vegetables, and a dozen very long rows of sunfl owers for all to enjoy as they drive by.
“We have farmers and people who grew up in my generation on a farm have a definite work ethic that I don’t think exists in a lot of younger people these days,” Core said.
As the last in his immediate family’s lineage, Rex set lofty goals to protect area heritage and share with the community his family’s experience and his sense of place, so that they too could understand and enjoy the magic of Ruby Ellen Farm.
A conservation easement through the Michigan Farmland Preservation Program keeps the acreage in agricultural use and prevents unwanted development — forever.
Artists have resided on the beautiful farm which served as the location for the 2004 film “Barn Red” featuring actor Ernest Borgnine. The film was produced and directed by Richard Brauer.
“That film basically mirrored what Rex was going through. It’s about an old farmer who was frequently approached by developers who wanted to plant houses on the farm. And Ernest Borgnine being the main character, didn’t want that to happen. He wanted to keep it as a farm, and that’s basically what Rex wanted as well,” Core said.
Currently, Ruby Ellen Farm hosts several annual events and a seasonal gift shop in the residences right off the highway, down the two tracks, past the windmill and the granary.
The farm hosts a spring event called “Plow Day” and a fall time social and pig roast.
There are four designated hiking trails along the farm’s two-track lanes. Maps are available at the entrance kiosk. Pets must be on a leash.
Valentine Snowshoe/Ski Trek happens Feb. 10. This free guided trek around the farm’s fields and woods offers beautiful views, hot beverages/snacks in the wood-heated shop and Museum tours.
Core was Clerk for Bingham Township for 10 years and has been a deputy clerk for eight years. Her duties involve elections for the most part.
“As long as my mind is willing, but sometimes my body is not anymore. But I’ll keep moving as long as I can,” Core said.
