By Laura Schiermeier, Staff Writer
MARIES COUNTY — The two farms owned by the Donald Robert “Bodie” and Vicki Bade family are among this year’s Maries County farms to be recognized and honored with the Missouri Century Farm designation.
The farm they fondly call the “Homeplace,” is 160 acres of land in Maries County purchased in February 1886 by Joseph Bade, who was Bodie Bade’s great-grandfather. In 2020, this farm has been in the Bade family for 134 years.
The farm was passed down through the generations of the Bade family. Bodie’s grandfather, Henry Herman Bade, purchased the Homeplace in 1930. Then it was owned by Joseph and Della Bade from 1942-1980, and currently it is owned by Bodie and his family.
The farm has an interesting history as the old Rolla-Springfield Road ran along this farm. They can still see the old wagon trail tracks today. The family relates a story Henry would tell about when he was a kid and the wagons would go by on their way to California. Some would have signs that said, “California or Bust.”
Sometimes travelers on the road would stop at the spring and spend the night. Great-grandmother Sara Bade would offer them vegetables and herbs.
Joseph and Della raised their family on the farm. Their children are Bodie and Dorothy May.
Chaney Beltz and his wife, Tara, with their sons, Redding and Holt, live adjacent to this farm.
Bodie’s grandparents, Henry Herman and Minnie Bade, in June 1903 purchased 376 acres off of what is now Highway Y. In 1946, Leonard Bade acquired this land from his father, Henry, and owned it though 1975. It is now owned by Bodie Bade.
This farm has been in the Bade family for 117 years. Henry built a log house shortly after he purchased the property. This log house is still part of the home on the farm where Bodie and Vicki Bade now live.
James Davis Beltz and wife, Danielle, with their son, Grady James, also live on this family farm.
