Generations Strong: Ely Farm Products

“The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.” This uplifting sentiment resonates deeply with Ely Farm Products owners Dwight and Susan Ely and their three children. As the seventh and eighth generations to steward the same land in Upper Makefield Township, the Elys have a legacy steeped in history and commitment to their community.

The family’s story stretches back to when the earliest members of the Ely family arrived in America aboard the Shield, which sailed alongside the Mayflower. Dwight’s ancestors eventually settled in Upper Makefield Township in the 1700s after receiving a land indenture signed by William Penn. The land itself has remained constant, but its uses have changed over time.

“There were all different kinds of farms on the property, and it had to change many times to meet the needs of each generation,” Dwight says. “My dad was a dairy farmer and my inspiration—we shared a love of farming. However, as the footprint of the farms became less and less, my dad commissioned me to figure out what to do to make a living on the farm for my generation.”

Dwight went to the University of Tennessee on a wrestling scholarship and studied animal and meat science, along with food technology. He was mentored by Dr. Gordon Davis, a legend in the meat industry, who helped him get involved in all aspects of the profession. After graduation, Dwight moved back home, took out a loan, and started his business in 1981.

“I got involved in animal science and figured we’d raise cattle and hogs,” he says. “With so many people moving into the area, I could market our products to them and had the idea of being a farm-to-table business. My parents were super supportive and thought it was a great idea.”

Family, Faith, and Food

Not long after he started his business, Dwight met Susan at the Washington Crossing United Methodist Church, just down the road from the farm, and love was in the air—they have now been married for 37 years. Susan initially worked as a Council Rock school teacher and helped the business with paperwork and packaging during the holidays.

The couple first lived in an apartment over the butcher shop and moved into the family home after Dwight’s father passed away, with the oldest section of the house dating back to 1765. There, they raised and homeschooled their three children, Aldan Ely, Elizabeth Neuman, and Luke Ely.

Since the kids were homeschooled, the family traveled the world together. This inspired Dwight to introduce new products and practices into the business. The family’s religious faith is also instilled into their daily lives and work ethic. “I am blessed to come up with new ideas and to see them prosper with the help of mentors, my family, and my faith,” Dwight says.

Centered on Quality

“The main thing we do here is harvest beef and pork and make a full line of meat products, and we have chickens for eggs,” Dwight says. “We also do a line of European-style cheeses, we raise wheat and grind it for homemade pasta, and we just started making homemade ice cream last year. I try to work with the best experts in each field and buy the best ingredients. I feel like we really take the time to make high-quality products.”

Susan describes life with Dwight as an adventure because he’s a visionary and always comes up with new ideas on how to enhance the customer experience. When the business started in the 1980s, they had two meat service cases in a tiny area in the butcher shop and would put tents outside during the holidays on the property. In 2024, they opened a large retail store where customers can come in and shop around.

“Our customers have always trusted that we produce the most wholesome products we can,” Susan says. “We were just a counter before, and now people can take their time shopping. When we opened the store in November 2024, it was fun watching them come in and seeing them enjoy this new atmosphere. Our customers appreciate that they have a local food source and are always so supportive.”

Mary Slaugenhoup and her family have lived in Upper Makefield Township for 10 years and say places like Ely Farm Products is why they love this area. “Ely Farm Products is a special spot in Upper Makefield Township,” Slaugenhoup says. “The setting is beautiful, it’s a true local place with incredible food, and you always feel good about what you bring home. It’s pretty incredible that the Ely family has been running the farm for generations. That says a lot about how much they care about keeping it going and doing things the right way.”

A Winning Selection

In addition to their successful business and retail store, the Elys’ commitment to quality has earned them national recognition. Members of the Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors and the American Association of Meat Processors, they have received numerous awards over the years. One of their earliest milestones was in 1993, when they entered a boneless ham into a national competition in Las Vegas and won. “It was exciting because I felt my parents were looking down at me,” Dwight says.

Susan adds that Dwight likes competition and always welcomes a challenge. “He wants to be the best in whatever he does, so it was thrilling,” she says.

Dwight achieved another goal when he entered the cheese-making business. He set his sights on having his cheese sold at the famous Di Bruno Bros. store in Philadelphia. That dream became a reality in 2012, when his Washington Crossing cheese (a Gouda-style washed curd) won second place in a national competition. After that win, Di Bruno Bros. started carrying Ely Farm Products cheeses.

A farmer’s life is always busy, as every season has something different to offer. During summer grill season, steaks, hot dogs, and sausages are popular. Hauling milk for cheese production is also in full swing. In fall, hunters get ready to harvest their game, and Ely Farm Products has a separate deer-processing plant for that. The Elys also started making hams for the colder season. November and December mark the busiest time of year because of the holiday season and peak deer season. The family takes a brief winter break to rejuvenate before spring planting and Easter orders, and then the cycle starts again.

Continuing Traditions

Looking ahead, the future of Ely Farm Products will continue with the Elys’ three grown children, who will be the eighth generation to work in the family business and keep their legacy thriving. “We’re super thankful our children love to work together and are best friends,” Susan says. “Living here, you feel a sense of stewardship to take care of the house and farm and eventually pass it on.”

The Elys’ oldest son, Aldan, who is married with children (the ninth generation), is starting a related venture called Ely North, a farm in upstate Pennsylvania, while still returning to help during the busy seasons. Elizabeth is married and serves as the retail manager. The youngest son, Luke, is the general marketing manager and is getting married on the farm this month.

“Knowing how much history is here on the farm is surreal to think about sometimes, but mostly it fills me with gratitude and reminds me how blessed I am to live and work here,” Luke says. “I hope the future of the business continues to serve our community and for customers to feel at home when they step into our shop.”

More than just a business, Ely Farm Products is a staple in Upper Makefield Township’s history and landscape. The name Ely carries generations of meaning symbolizing tradition, quality, and a deep connection to the farming world. Dwight and Susan are thankful that they can share their family’s traditions with their customers and the community.

“Upper Makefield is an amazing place to live,” Dwight says. “I’ve lived here my entire life and love this community. It’s beautiful, rich in history, and constantly evolving. We feel incredibly blessed to be part of it.”

Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.

Photograph by Jennifer Janikic Photography