In 1970 my family moved from Northwest Tennessee to Paonia. Moving to such a gorgeous place was nothing short of culture shock for a southern hillbilly farm boy. My family lineage is mostly farmers as far back as family history can be traced. In fact, the family farm in TN, where I was born, has been in the Austin family since 1786, it was a land grant given to Revolutionary War soldiers in payment for serving their country.
After graduating Paonia High School in 1980, I attended college in Oklahoma, graduated in 3 years, then settled in Colorado Springs. There I was a custom home builder, school teacher, volunteer wrestling coach, steel building designer, owned real estate services businesses, real estate investment businesses, and a heavy equipment refinishing business.
My friends said I couldn't hold a job. Ha!
Currently my parents own an organic farm and orchard across the valley on Pitkin Mesa. I work with them in the business side of their orchard operation, marketing fruit on the Front Range, hauling a load every week during season. My dad is a pioneer in soil health, pure food, organic fruit and clean farming.
I have 3 incredible kids. My youngest, Avery, is a junior at Dallas Baptist Univ. My middle son, William, just graduated from Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. My oldest lives in Omaha with his wife and my 3 year old grandson. Taylor is a manager for Enterprise Rent a Car. My grandson loves driving the tractor, operating the backhoe and fishing with Grandpa.
And Grandpa loves it far more!
During my off-season I am a volunteer wrestling coach at PHS, I'm a volunteer EMT with the local ambulance service and I work on remodeling projects on the house. In addition, I am a published author, in the process of editing my 3rd book for publication.
I am not always around, but when I am you will often find me on the porch soaking in the views. Please feel free to join me.