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Eric was born in 1967 and raised
on the family farm at Gales Creek, OR. His Mother was born in a
house a mile and a half up the road. His Dad was born in
Hillsboro. Mr. Sahnow bought this farm at Gales Creek in 1962.
Eric’s Father’s people came
originally from Germany to Minnesota and then to Oregon. His
Mother’s family have an especially interesting background. His
Mother’s great, great grandfather was Moses McCoy of the McCoy and
Hatfield feud. Mrs. McCoy’s name was Tabiatha, a great name. Mr.
McCoy served in the Civil Was and as a reward was deeded a land
grant on Gales Creek on “Howell Lane” where he homesteaded.
Eric finished High School in
Forest Grove and went to Oregon State to study crop sciences. He
left college his senior year to go to Australia where he worked on a
cattle ranch for a year. Then he came home and started farming the
home place with his Dad in 1989. Through the years the crops on
this 480 acres have changed many times from daffodils, strawberries,
melons, broccoli, onions, grain, other row crops, and nursery plus
the timber lands.
Theresa and Eric were high
school sweethearts so when he came home from Australia, they were
married on Sept. 9, 1989. They lived across the highway from his
folks for a while and then moved into the farm house on the place
when his folks retired in 1993.
Theresa was born in California
March 8, 1968, but moved to Forest Grove when she was three years
old. She did get to go to Australia to visit Eric for a month while
he was working on the cattle ranch there.
Eric has been a member of Mt.
Olive Church most of his life.
Farming is what this couple have
always done. It’s who they are.
CHILDREN:
Cameron Sahnow was born April 29, 1995. He is thirteen years old
and in the 8th grade. He goes to Forest Hills Lutheran
School and thinks he will be a farmer.
HOBBIES: Hunting, Boy Scouts, 4H in pigs, basketball, track and
field, and scuba diving.
Kyle
Sahnow was born December 10, 1996, is eleven years old and in the 6th
grade. He also goes to Forest Hills Lutheran School.
HOBBIES: He loves farming, motorcycle riding, 4H in cows, fishing
and scuba diving.
Adam
Sahnow was born April 19, 1999, is eight years old and is in t3rd
grade.
HOBBIES: Football, Football, Football, scuba diving, skateboard,
riding his bike, Cub Scouts, BB gun shooting (he holds a “NRA Expert
Marksman” honor), and he raises chickens.
Sahnows have two dogs, Holly and
Chloe.
Theresa is now on the Forest
Hills Lutheran School Board and when added to all her childrens’
other activities, plus her farm work, it could be said her hobby and
life is “on the road hauling children and running farm errands”.
On the other hand, if Eric never
had to leave the farm or go to town, he would be a happy farmer. It
is safe to say his hobbies are solving all the farm problems that
arise, the latest being the new, remarkable bridge he built across
Gales Creek to connect the front and back of the farm. |
