The Andrew Farm was founded by Floyd and Helen Andrew in 1939. It was a small family farm with chickens, rabbits, a few pigs, four dairy cows and twelve acres of land to grow crops on. It was a nice little farm that helped get them through the great depression. In 1970 they bought another property near by and increased the farm by another 50 acres's.
By 2004, both Floyd and Helen had passed away and the farm was now at a cross roads. Floyd "Duane", their son, had to decide to buy his sister out of her half or let the farm be sold off. Thomas, Floyd's oldest son, told his father about his life long dream of buying the land, planting a vineyard and building a winery on site. After many months of talking to other winery owners Floyd decided that Tom's idea was a good one. He did want to know what they were going to do with the barn. They decided they would get an animal or two so that kids could pet them while the parents were visiting the winery. Two weeks later, while visiting a petting zoo at the local 4-H fair in Wheaton, Illinois; they had a clearer idea of what animals whey were going to have. Tom discovered an animal called a llama. And to make a long story short Tom now has the largest herd of llamas in the state of Indiana.
In 2005, the farm was bought, the animals were settled, Tom quit his job in Illinois to take care of the animals and to oversee the construction of the winery. Floyd planned to work another two years to secure the funds for the construction costs. In the Fall, his company forced him into early retirement. The winery's future is now up in the air.
In May of 2009, Floyd wasn't feeling well. He went to see the doctor. After many tests he was told he had cancer with six months to live. Eight days later he was gone.
*** Adopt a Vine Program ***
I sat down and started working on a ten year business plan. The plan would create new jobs, buy up a lot of commercial real estate, help local retailers and get the economy running again. I sent my plan to Donald Trump and Warren Buffett to see what they thought. They both agreed that my plan was sound.
I am hoping that everyone will help me to make my father's and my dream come true and in the process create jobs. To help out; all you have to do is Adopt a Vine. This will help me to grow the vineyard and also the winery. People who Adopt a Vine will also receive product discounts on website purchases, be invited to wine auctions and tastings, invited to private parties and tours and also earn rewards and be included in the monthly drawings. I hope you will Adopt a Vine.
Thomas Andrew
Managing Director
The Andrew Farm; 1145 N 975 W; Andrews, IN 46702
