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The Holcomb family farming tradition began more than 75 years ago
when, in 1924, Earl and Ola purchased a Guernsey farm in Tunnel, New York. In addition, that year, they welcomed
their son Bob. In 1934, at the age of 10, Bob began showing his cows and swap shear sheep as a 4-H member, where
he won many blue and championship ribbons at both county and state levels.
It was at one of the shows in 1949 that Bob met and fell in love with a young woman named Ethel Webb. Bob enjoys telling everyone the story of how he had to walk his cows to the Tioguough River at the Broome County Fair where he met Ethel. Ethel, also growing up on a farm, was no stranger to the hard work and dedication that farm life brought. In May of 1950, Ethel and Bob were married. Together in 1951, they welcomed their first son Don and their second son Duane in 1954. Also in 1954, Bob and Ethel purchased the farm from Earl and moved it to its current location on Jackson Hill in Greene. When Bob and Ethel took over the farm, the herd size was approximately 120 Guernsey cattle, with approximately 65 of them milking. Bob, Don and Duane have all worked hard to continue with that herd average today. Bob admits that a large part of the success that he has today is thanks to Ethel. Bob and Ethel celebrated 40 years of marriage before she lost her courageous battle with cancer in 1990 at the age of 59. Over the years, Bob and Ethel bred and showed many excellent cows. The list of achievements includes Holcomb’s BP Gale, an excellent 91. Another better-known cow from the Holcomb farm is Holcomb’s P April, an excellent 92. April has received Grand Champion honors at local and national shows, including the New York State Fair and the All-American Dairy Show. In 1984, Holcomb’s Guernsey Farm received their first Grand Champion at the New York State Fair with Holcomb’s DF Martha. More information can be found about these and other cows on the Best of the Best page. Since Bob began showing in 1934, he has not missed a year at the New York State Fair. The year 2003 marks Holcomb’s Guernsey Farms 69th consecutive year of representation. Over the years, Bob, Ethel and their family have been honored with countless Premier Breeder and Premier Exhibitor awards, as well as at least 10 All-American and Reserve All-American awards. Although Bob has “retired” and left the majority of the work to his sons, he still takes part in as much as he can. He is an active member of the New York State Guernsey Breeder’s Association. Since joining in 1974, Bob served as the President of the association for at least 20 years. He also served as a National Director from 1986-1994. Bob also spends a lot of his time on the show circuit each year. Today, Bob’s oldest son Don continues the Holcomb’s Guernsey Farm legacy. He spends each day working with the animals. Don has also continued to breed the farm’s cows with the same greatness that his parents did. Although Don does not travel the show circuit anymore, he and his wife Brenda are sure to make their appearance at the shows. Their two young children, Scott, 12, and Louise, 10, have recently become involved in 4-H and along with Bob show each year at the Broome County Fair. Bob’s youngest son Duane, although working off the farm, helps Don each day with the farm’s operation. Each year, Duane, occasionally accompanied by his wife Robin, travels with to the National shows. Their children, Shannon, 27, Sabrina, 26, and Joshua, 22 have all spent many years showing their animals at the Broome County Fair and New York State Fair. Bob has taught many farming lessons and traditions to his family over the years. He was able to take Shannon, Sabrina, and Joshua to the shows when they turned 10 to teach them about the responsibilities. He continues to do that with his youngest grandchildren, Scott and Louise. Bob is grateful and confident that his sons, daughters-in-laws, and grandchildren will be able to carry-on the farming and showing tradition that he has worked hard to build. Bob’s family is grateful for the lessons that he has taught them. |
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