Not many college students write senior theses about their family history, or spend their last college winter break interviewing family members.

Rachel Boyer did exactly that and found it to be rewarding.

"This was a way for me to cope with the ending of an era," she said, referring to the sale of Boyer Farms.

A contract has been signed with a developer to build homes where the farm stands now, but there is no timetable for when the land will be developed.

In an increasingly suburban county, she knows her family history is worth preserving.

"Not many people can say they grew up on a farm," the 22-year-old said...