Rooted and Married to the Land

The Brashear name carries history in Viper, Kentucky.

Lester Brashear, 68, a local sheep farmer, lives with his wife, Sherry Brashear, 69, in a farmhouse. Lester built the home with the personal touch of cherry wood flooring and filled it with belongings from several generations. The land has been part of the Brashear family for over 200 years.

“You have to be married to your animals. They have to come first,” Brashear said. “Then your children and wife can be part of it.”

For Brashear, farming is not seen as a job. It is a passion, a legacy, and an answered prayer.

Farming has always been part of Brashear’s life, but now that retirement is in the picture, it is time for him to shift priorities and think about the future of the farm. He hopes to see it run
through his family.

The land has been in the family for 200 years, which is a legacy in itself. The places he walks are the same places that his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather have
stood.

Brashear takes pride and joy in the memories and deep-rooted love he has for his family.

This is shown by the way his house is decorated and cared for, including many framed photos.

There are pots handed down from his grandmother, the furniture that they use has been cherished through many generations, the cane that Sherry uses is Lester’s great-grandmother’s, and the land still has his grandfather and great-grandfather’s initials carved into the trees.

Lester and Sherry have been married a little over a year. The two are a happy pairing and share the love of flowers, cooking, sheep, family and their faith.

Their nightly routine consists of feeding the dogs, quails and chicken, then gathering eggs to add to the carton in their fridge.

They will often bring eggs to Brashear’s mother or sister, who both live nearby, keeping in mind that the farm’s produce is to be a gift to everyone.

Now, as he approaches his retirement from farming, Brashear is suffering from arthritis in his left arm. It creates a lot of pain and prevents Brashear from doing his labor.

He has in mind a potential new owner, Daniel Sumner. Sumner splits the ownership with Brashear, but he works a full-time job alongside raising his own family.

Brashear hopes that Sumner will choose to take on farming full-time and carry the legacy.

Brashear and Sumner are distantly related. Brashear’s mother is a Sumner, so if ownership is given to Daniel, the farm and
land would still be kept in the family.

Brashear was once a coal miner and a biomedical equipment technician, but he wasn’t passionate about those jobs. Farming is where he finds his passion.

His dedication and care for the sheep are the heartbeat behind the farm and the reason for its success. Brashear’s passion for sheep farming is one that will have to be reached for by the farm’s next owner.

“I don’t do it for the money,” Brashear said. “I do it because I love it.”