The Vasey Family Testimonial – WATERGIRL FARM
Nestled on the Eastern Shore, WaterGirl Farm is more than just a hay operation, it is the product of love, grit, and the deep-rooted values of Dean and Jody Vasey and their daughters. For the past 18 years, the Vasey family has been producing quality hay, honey, elderberries, and a wide range of organic goods while raising livestock and running a small U-pick orchard.
It all started nearly two decades ago when Dean and Jody purchased their farm with the intention of custom farming it out. But it didn’t take long before they realized that timing in the hay business was everything. Outsourcing just wasn’t “cutting it.”
“We were getting stalky hay because it wasn’t getting harvested at the right time,” Dean recalls. “So we bought a tractor, a bar rake, a small baler, a couple wagons and went all in as a family.”
With daughters and Jody stacking bales, and Dean running the tractor, WaterGirl Farm quickly became an all hands on deck family farm.
As the girls grew up and moved on to college and careers, the family faced the inevitable challenge of labor. Finding reliable help became harder. Dean, a full-time aircraft mechanic at the time, would rush home after work to bale hay during the brief windows between the region’s unpredictable weather.
Jody and Dean Vasey started WaterGirl Farm in Lincoln, Delaware
Enter the Game-Changer: The Norden Mfg Bale Accumulator
After extensive research and YouTube rabbit holes, Dean decided on a Kuhns Mfg, now Norden Mfg accumulator. Their first model, an AF10, worked well but it had its challenges Dean could not figure out. He worked directly with Lucas Kuhns and the Norden team to troubleshoot everything from springs to tailgates.
In order to ensure a smooth hay season Dean chose to make an investment in his operation and upgraded to the AE15 on-edge model, trading in the original unit. The improvement was immediate and impactful.
“I hardly ever have to get out of the tractor anymore,” Dean says. “The biggest benefit is reducing manpower. No more waiting on people who may not show up. The accumulator just works.”They chose the AE15 Norden Accumulator paired with a Standard Grabber, which allows them to drop 15 bales at a time and stack them securely in groups of 15 The result? Fewer trips across the field, less compaction, and no need to rely on outsourced labor.”
For Dean, the investment wasn’t just about efficiency, it was about family and safety. “It’s safer. It’s more efficient. And it saves us from relying on labor that may only last one hot, sticky day.”
Even without a Tie-Grabber, which Dean wishes he had, he found a solution by engineering wagon backstops at an angle and using tie-down straps to secure the load. “You make it work with what you have,” he says. “If all you can afford is the accumulator and a grapple, that’s enough to get you started.” Dean shared that he believes “the Flat 10 is perfect” if you are just starting out.
Beyond hay, WaterGirl Farm is a tribute to the family’s resilience and love. Their daughters, Spring, Lake, and Rain, each played a vital role in the farm’s growth over the years. Spring now works as a 4-H Extension educator. Lake pursues livestock photography. Rain aspires to become a crop duster. And their late daughter Brooke remains a beloved part of their farm’s story and its name: WaterGirl Farm.
“Farming isn’t glamorous, but it’s a wonderful way of life,” Jody says. “It builds confidence, character, and a sense of purpose. Our girls grew up grounded, capable of running equipment and solving problems. That’s something you can’t teach in a classroom.”
From beekeeping to broilers, orchard care to hay fields spread across Delaware, the Vaseys do it all with heart, faith, and family at the center. They know every bale, every bee, and every sunset comes with its own lesson.
“Agriculture is a great life for any kid to experience. It teaches responsibility, resilience, and how to keep going even when it’s tough.” Jody Vasey