Bobcat Equipment Rounds Out the Herd at Blufftop Farm

There’s something beautiful about making old things new. But, what about making new things old? Julie and Joe Check began a journey of regenerative agriculture that would lead to a lifestyle they never imagined they would live well before retirement. While nature and historic, traditional practices are at the core of “regeneration,” a single Bobcat® machine with versatile attachments play a pivotal role in the success of their farm. 

A Change of Scenery 

The Checks lived in Madison, Wisconsin, raising their two young sons and working traditional, full-time jobs. As Joe’s travel schedule lightened during 2020, they found themselves contemplating their retirement dream early — moving back to the farm Joe grew up on. Annabelle, Joe’s mom, 87 at the time, still lived on the farm, but the land had been leased for almost 25 years since Joe’s dad’s passing. 

“We were living in Madison, and both working full-time in sales,” Julie says. “When we had the opportunity to work from home, we both looked at each other, and just kind of thought, ‘Huh, we really could move back to the farm.’ Joe’s mom turned 90 in 2023, we had two young boys, and we found ourselves speeding up our retirement dream to give the boys a life on the farm and a close relationship to their grandparents.” 

The property, nestled in the western Wisconsin bluffs, would gain the name “Blufftop Farm” when the Checks arrived. They envisioned it could be a place for visitors to enjoy nature, interact with unique animals, have fun and relax.