Ron Miles, at left, is pictured with his grandson, Nathan Miles. They formed an LLC in 2018 and farm together on the same farm where Ron grew up, southeast of Holyoke.
Many grains of truth
Holyoke native Ron Miles has always had a passion for farming. Growing up on his family farm southeast of Holyoke got him started in the industry, and after farming with his brother, Richard, for 43 years, he continued the family tradition by forming an LLC with his grandson, Nathan, in 2018, and farming with him.
And it doesn’t stop there. Miles has also been a guest lecturer at the University of Denver, Josef Korbel School of International Studies. The class he lectures at is focused on the sustainability of food, and students are always interested in hearing Miles talk about his experiences.
He began his time as a guest lecturer four years ago, when he got a call from his wife Roxanne’s cousin, who is friends with the professor of the class, Susan Bridle-Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. Since then, it’s been something he’s done once a year.
“I have something for you to consider,” Miles remembers Roxanne’s cousin saying on that first call.
Miles was quick to point out that Bridle-Fitzpatrick is very kind and has done everything possible to make the process easy for him.
He pointed out that when they travel to Denver, they have the added bonus of getting to stay with Roxanne’s cousin for a night and get caught up with family.
He has lectured at the class a total of four times, and the October 2020 class had to be over Zoom due to COVID-19. Miles noted that this was not the same, since he likes to be able to look the students in the face and be at the class in person.
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