Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. To the editor: For 40 years my family resided in Westminster West. One hundred and sixty years before that the Ranney family started farming in Westminster West. I understand it is unique and somewhat rare in Vermont for a farm to be in the same family for 200 years. While living near the farm the proximity contributed a lot to making it a special place. When Arthur Ranney ran the farm it was a special treat to interact with him. We bought raw milk from him and took special delight when in the spring he would come jogging up the road with a pail of grain followed by a cluster of heifers he was leading to summer pasture on the Old Athens Road.