A Farm Legacy of Love: Gretchen and Dick Regnery’s Gift to the Land 

Why These Door County Sheep Farmers Chose to Protect Their Farm Forever 

Some places don’t just hold memories—they carry a legacy. For more than four decades, Gretchen and Dick Regnery have poured their hearts and souls into Whitefish Bay Farm—a sanctuary of serene pastures, naturally colored Corriedale sheep, and the fiber art that has defined their lives. Nestled in the stunning landscape of Door County, Wisconsin, their farm has been more than just a home; it has been a labor of love, a commitment to land stewardship, and a place where people from all walks of life have come to experience the beauty of farming and art. 

After years of farming sheep and hosting travelers, they closed the doors of their bed-and-breakfast during the pandemic and turned their attention to tenderly caring for their final herd. Now, as they look toward the future, they have made the most profound and selfless decision of their lives: to donate their beloved farm to American Farmland Trust (AFT), ensuring that it remains farmland forever. Their legacy will live on—not as a patchwork of vacation homes, but as a thriving, working farm for generations to come. 

Through AFT’s Farm Legacy Program, Gretchen and Dick’s land will never be lost to development. Instead, it will pass into the hands of future farmers and stewards who will continue the work they began—nurturing the soil, raising livestock, and preserving the rural character of Door County. 

Trading Corporate Life for a Dream 

“We always say we had our midlife crisis in our 30s,” Gretchen laughs. “But instead of buying a sports car, we bought a rundown dairy farm.” 

Gretchen and Dick met in 1965 as foreign exchange students traveling to Europe. While completing their college education, they married in 1970. She built a career in nursing, eventually managing a large home-health service, while he worked for the Social Security Administration. Though they spent years in an urban setting, they longed for something more—a life that combined their love of hospitality, creativity, and the land. 

Their vision was more than just opening a bed-and-breakfast in Door County; they dreamed of a pastoral retreat—a place where they could welcome guests with a bountiful vegetable garden, an art gallery, and a small flock of sheep. 

That so-called midlife crisis turned into a lifelong love story—with the land, their animals, and the creative expression that came from weaving the wool produced by their own flock. 

Standing in the cool shadow of their 100-year-old barn, Dick watches the barn swallows rear their young and reflects on their long journey to this place. From learning the nuances of sheep farming to mastering the intricate process of wool production, every step was a challenge—and a triumph. 

For years, they worked tirelessly—caring for the land, perfecting their craft, and welcoming visitors to their B&B, where guests experienced firsthand the magic of sustainable farming and fiber arts. Whitefish Bay Farm became a beacon of possibility, proving that a different kind of life—one deeply connected to the earth—was not only achievable but profoundly fulfilling. 

Stewardship: A Responsibility and a Calling 

But with love for the land comes responsibility. From the beginning, Gretchen and Dick knew that they were caretakers, not owners. 

“I feel like I’m a guardian of this place,” Gretchen says. “I want to believe that whoever comes after us will treat it with the same care and respect.” 

They have done everything in their power to preserve the integrity of their land, from rotational grazing that restores soil health to mindful practices that protect water quality. 

“With shallow soil, anything applied to the surface reaches the groundwater quickly,” Dick explains. “We’ve always been careful because we know that what we do here affects the land and water far beyond our farm.” 

Now, through AFT, they are making that commitment permanent. 

The Threat of Development—and the Urgency to Protect Farmland 

Door County’s scenic beauty and fertile farmland make it a target for developers eager to transform cherry orchards and pastures into luxury homes and vacation rentals along the shores of Lake Michigan. Gretchen and Dick saw the writing on the wall: 

“If we don’t preserve this land, it will be chopped up into McMansions,” Gretchen says bluntly. “We refuse to let that happen.” 

With farmland disappearing at an alarming rate, they knew they had to act. That’s when they turned to American Farmland Trust’s Farm Legacy Program—a program that helps landowners ensure their farms remain protected and passed on to the next generation. 

Through this program, Whitefish Bay Farm will forever remain farmland—never paved over, never lost. 

A Legacy That Lives On 

Gretchen and Dick’s decision to donate their farm is more than just a legal transaction—it is an act of hope, love, and deep faith in the future of agriculture. 

“This farm is set up for sheep,” Dick says earnestly, “but it could be alpacas, horses, or even a diversified vegetable farm. The possibilities are endless.” 

And that’s exactly what they want—for young farmers, fiber artists, and agricultural entrepreneurs to inherit a place where they can build their own dreams—just as they did four decades ago. 

They have been steadfast supporters of AFT since 1983, but now, their farm itself will stand as a living testament to the mission of protecting farmland for generations to come. 

A Legacy That Gives Back 

There is something deeply profound about creating a legacy that outlives us—one that feeds future generations, nurtures communities, and protects the landscapes that sustain us all. 

Gretchen and Dick’s gift is not just about preserving a piece of land; it’s about preserving their way of life. Their story is a reminder that we all have the power to leave behind something bigger than ourselves—a legacy that doesn’t just mark where we once stood, but nourishes the future, safeguards the land, and sustains life for generations to come. 

You Can Protect Farmland, Too 

Gretchen and Dick’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s at stake. Farmland is vanishing. Family farms are disappearing. But together, we can fight to protect these irreplaceable landscapes and ensure a future where farmers can thrive. 

By supporting American Farmland Trust’s Farm Legacy Program, you can help ensure that farms like Whitefish Bay never become another development site. You can help farmers and ranchers pass on their precious land and livelihood. 

You can be part of the movement to save the land that sustains us. 

Donate today to help protect farmland forever. Visit www.farmland.org or contact Jerry Cosgrove at [email protected] to learn more about the Farm Legacy Program and how you, too, can leave a lasting impact.