About
Hilltop Farms is a traditional corn and soybean farm with an onsite grain storage center. The farm has three barns, pastures, hay fields and the pioneer Busby cemetery. The farm is home to a flock of sheep, a llama family, small group of cattle and Margie the Australian Shepherd. Barbara Wiles manages the business affairs of Hilltop Farms while B&M Farms manage the crop ground and grain center. The Livestock is managed by Doug & Lisa Edge and their son's Cory & Tanner along with their wives Taylor and Lexie. The main farm is located 3 1/2 miles East of the town of Pendleton, Indiana on State Road 38.
The Farm
The Family
Hilltop Farms was created by Madison County entrepreneur Ples Mathews. He and his wife, Roxie, moved to Anderson in 1940 and opened a small grocery on East Lynn Street. They later opened four more Mathews’ Markets and a True Value Hardware Store. Ples had a dream to own a farm and raise cattle and horses. The beef supplied his thriving grocery business and the farm ground grew into Hilltop Realty. Hilltop Farms was purchased in the early 1970's and his grandson Doug Edge and his wife Lisa along with his granddaughter DeAnn (Edge) Fox and Andrew along with their children Aubrey and Hayden reside on the farm today. Ples's daughter Barbara Wiles is active in managing the farm business.
Australian White Sheep
Building on Australian Genetics. Raising Them in Indiana.
Hilltop Farms has raised sheep in Indiana for more than 25 years, but the addition of Australian White sheep has opened an exciting new chapter for our family operation.
Beginning in 2024, Hilltop Farms began importing Australian White genetics from Tattykeel in Australia, the birthplace of the Australian White breed. Our goal was to gain direct access to proven Australian bloodlines and use those genetics to help establish and develop high-quality Australian White sheep here in the United States.
Today, our program combines those Australian genetics with decades of practical sheep-production experience as we work to produce Australian Whites that perform for American breeders and commercial sheep producers.
The Experience
Hilltop Farms host a variety of on farm experiences that include; Dinner and Entertainment, Historical Tours, Barn Sales, Sheep Sales, Livestock Judging Practices, Private Parties and more.
I believe in the future of agriculture, with a faith born not of words but of deeds.
FFA Creed
Our Mission
To preserve history and create a sustainable farming operations to share with others.
Our Vision
To provide an educational and entertaining environment on the farm.