For three generations, family farm is stable

Date: March 16, 2008    

Three generations of Hardins run and maintain Hardin Farm and Stables on 8201 Millrun Road in Stokesdale. Owner and horse trainer Helen Hardin Isley said her family prides itself on keeping the tradition of farming, training and boarding horses going since the farm's inception in 1960.

"I was born and raised here, so there's really nothing else I'd rather be doing," Isley said.

Her parents, Rush and Mary Hardin, started the family business on the 180-acre farm. They turned over the farming duties in 2004 to Isley and her sister, Luann Hardin Leonard, who maintains the business aspect of the farm.

"We decided it was time for them (Helen and Luann) to take over, but we haven't stopped helping out," Rush Hardin said. "This isn't an easy life, and it takes a lot of hands to get everything done each day, but we're very proud of them."

Every day, the Hardins make sure all of the livestock is fed, take care of the horses they board and produce feed (oats, corn and wheat for retail in the feed store).

"There's not a lot of farms left in Guilford County, and we're one of the few still handling hay. We get people from all over coming to purchase feed in our feed store," Rush Hardin said.

Sixteen students train three days a week on horses boarded at the farm.

Isley and her students have received several honors for training and showing, she said.

Isley's accolades include Trainer of the Year and Sportsmanship Award for the East Coast Open Horse Show Circuit in 2006.

"We travel to Williamston for most of our shows, and we'll take anywhere from six to 12 horses when we go," she said.

The Oak Ridge Horse Show, March 21-22, is the first of the season.

"This is when things really start to get busy for us, but we're really looking forward to it," Isley said.

For information about Hardin Farm and Stables, go to www.hardinsfarm.com or call 643-4978.