Beneath Cummings Mountain to the north, Hail Mountain to the west and what's known to the locals as Overshot Pond, sheep dot the meticulously groomed pastures of the Good Shepherd Farm on Hogback Road in Crown Point.

Formerly known as the George Dushane Farm, it is one of two working farms that are still family owned in Crown Point today.

Century old barns, grayed and weathered, remain strong and in good repair. Fences are straight and tight with evidence of mowing or munching under the wire fence where grass and weeds fail to grow tall.

Two tractors remain parked in the tractor barn, all polished and clean as if just purchased in 1960 and 1951.

"My father taught me how to maintain the farm equipment," said Henry Dushane, son of the late George Dushane and part owner of the new endeavor. "My father always kept the farm and the equipment in excellent repair."

Speaking quickly with no time to waste, Dushane shifted positions as he talked about the family farm and the developing partnership. His graying short beard etched over his chin while his nose held tightly to the wire rim glasses that were attempting to slide from perspiration in summer's evening heat.

His hands were strong and rough and he was tan from exposure to the sun during his toils at the farm.

"I started farming with my father when I was seven years old," said Dushane. "We didn't have tractors then and I worked our two workhorses, Jim and Belle, in the garden and hayfields."

Dushane admits it was work then, but now it is relaxing to work on the farm.

"I wish my father was still around," said Dushane. "He'd sit by the hour and watch me work before he died."

Quickly changing directions, he pointed out the benefits of family farms and keeping his own sons interested in the farm, reminiscing too, of their working days with him.

"Will and Todd still help me during haying season and wish they had the time to help more," said Dushane. "But with their jobs, they just don't have the time anymore."

A budding relationship grew when niece and nephew Ron and Jennifer Siver approached Henry and Yvonne Dushane with the idea of a sheep farm. Ron's previous success as an entrepreneur was appealing to the Dushanes, who also wanted to revive his father's farm to a working farm again.

Siver, who had kept a few sheep of his own at his home, had learned the proper ways to care for sheep and had found them to be an enjoyable hobby.

"We would like to be self-sufficient and we look for ways in which to become just that," said Siver. "The sheep idea fit right into our lifestyle."