It takes a heap of optimism to build an entire Angus program on just 77 acres of owned land, but Phil Trowbridge has that and a fair amount faith in the next generation, too.  

He and his wife, Annie, built Trowbridge Angus Farm, near Ghent, N.Y., while working for Gallagher’s Angus Farm right out of college. They stayed in the area to make a name for themselves. With successes under their belt, now their two grown children and their families are involved in the operation.  

They tend to farm land and relationships with the same vigor.  

“We do a really good job at taking care of the land. We keep everything clean and neat,”  Trowbridge says, noting when the landowners come from New York City, they want a peaceful escape. He gives lots of credit to their son PJ, who manages nearly two dozen lease arrangements.  

“That's a lot of people to keep happy, and he’s done a great job,” Trowbridge says. “I think it's very refreshing for our New York City folks to run across the young man who just says, ‘Yep, this is what we're going to do,’ and it happens.”