EFLAND, N.C. — If you ask Ben Lloyd how old he is, he might just use a tractor to let you know.  

What You Need To Know

  •  Ben Lloyd bought his farm from his father

  •  The dairy farm is recognized as a century farm in North Carolina

  •  Lloyd's children host events like weddings in antique markets on the property

“It and myself are two of the oldest things around this farm. This is a 1967 Oliver tractor," Lloyd said.  

While the tractor is still running at 56 years old, Lloyd is approaching his 93rd birthday.   

“Other than the time I was in school, and four years in the military, I’ve been here all my life. Farming sort of becomes a way of life," Lloyd said.  

Getting around a 700-plus-acre farm isn't easy at his age.

So these days you will see Lloyd on "Ben’s Buggy," his trusty golf cart that roams the land that was once home to a one of the biggest dairy farms in central North Carolina.

“It was a full-time operation," Lloyd said. "Milking 150 cows, twice a day. That’s 300 milkings a day.” 

Today, the farm produces hay for a nearby horse farm and soy beans.

Lloyd is still very much involved in the operations and making the man who he bought the farm from proud.

“My dad lived to be about 89 when he passed away. One of the best farmers, and one of the hardest working people I’ve ever known," Lloyd said. 

Taking a ride around the land, you will see the original farm buildings that have stood the test of time.  

Lloyd says there's so much history here. In fact, "American Pickers," the famous historical TV show, has visited four times to search through the collection.

North Carolina recognizes the dairy farm as part of its century farms, an accolade only given to those with 100 years of continuous agricultural heritage.

“Not all farms stay in operation for 100 years. But this one has," Lloyd said.  

Keeping a farm like this in operation for that long doesn't come without innovation. 

Lloyd's children have used agri-tourism as a means to continue its history, including turning the barn into a wedding venue.

“We actually had a local lady that said she would like to have a wedding here," Craig Lloyd, Ben Lloyd's son said. "So that was really our first event that we thought about. Then we started to look at other opportunities like special events like the antique festival, the haunted house and other events throughout the year, and it’s been very successful.” 

Everywhere you turn, from the old milking stations to the outfitted bridal suite, the farm's history is all around.

Looking back on those who opened the farm generations ago, to the man who runs it now, it's something special.

“If my dad were alive today, and bales to look at it, he would smile and lay back down," Lloyd said. "He would be delighted that it’s been kept productive, and we have weathered some of the economic storms and come out of here thus far.”