- Home
- Company
- News & Media
- Bobcat Stories
- Restoring Family Roots: Robert Lazenby Reclaims a Legacy
Restoring Family Roots: Robert Lazenby Reclaims a Legacy
Published on September 1, 2023
At age 17, Robert Lazenby was thrust into the role of caretaker for the family farm. Like many young people, he had other priorities, and the land that was part of his family for more than 50 years fell into disrepair. With the help of Bobcat® equipment, Robert is renewing his land and reconnecting with his roots.
At age 17, Robert Lazenby was thrust into the role of caretaker for the family farm. Like many young people, he had other priorities, and the land that was part of his family for more than 50 years fell into disrepair. With the help of Bobcat® equipment, Robert is renewing his land and reconnecting with his roots.
The Lazenby family farm is nestled amidst the dense, picturesque woodlands near Landsford, South Carolina. The land, with a rich family history going back 200 years, was once a thriving and sprawling family farm with cattle, a residence and outbuildings. Robert inherited the land when he was only 17 years old after his father passed away. He was still discovering himself and exploring the world, and maintaining a large property isn’t a priority for the typical teenager.
As a child, I felt like it was kind of a punishment to have to go out there and string barbwire fences and chase cows ... I didn’t care anything about farming … the teenage me was out there drag racing and running around in Corvettes.
Robert Lazenby
Bobcat Customer
As time stretched on, neglect took its toll, but as the land’s vibrancy began to fade, Robert’s maturity and sense of responsibility grew stronger. Robert returned with a new sense of purpose and a renewed desire to reconnect with his land.
Restoring the Land
Robert quickly realized he’d need the right tools to accomplish the daunting task of reversing 17 years of neglect. He looked to Bobcat equipment to complement his old chainsaw and tractor.
In his youth, Robert’s dad instructed him to buy the best tools he could afford. “Take care of them, and they’ll take care of you,” he told Robert. And fortunately, there were some pretty awesome tools nearby. Bobcat of Rock Hill, South Carolina, was just down the road.
Having a dealership that's 15 minutes from me ... I've just been up there almost every single week. Having that service, knowing that they're right there was really great.
Robert Lazenby
Bobcat Customer
Bobcat of Rock Hill equipped Robert with a fleet of machines perfectly designed to carry out his vision for the family farm. The precision and power of Robert’s Bobcat compact excavator, compact track loader, mini track loader and utility vehicle reduced days-long projects to tasks that took a few hours. The ability to demolish old structures, remove brush and shape the ground as he saw fit brought new life to the land.
Now that I got the E42, I can come out here and flatten this all in an afternoon and clear it up perfect, stumps and all, grade it back out and make it nice again. It was very limiting what I could do without the equipment.
Robert Lazenby
Bobcat Customer
By restoring the Lazenby family property, Robert is restoring his family’s legacy. The period of neglect and decay is just another footnote in a farm that has seen centuries of highs and lows. With Robert at the helm, and his fleet of Bobcat equipment to help him out, this land has a new lease on life. Once again, it’s fertile ground for new memories and the stories of generations to come.
More Recent Stories
View All Stories- Houston-Based Sweetwater Farms HTX Combines Agriculture with Education
Houston-Based Sweetwater Farms HTX Combines Agriculture with Education
With the help of volunteers, friends, and a brand-new Bobcat® compact tractor, Chaz Daughtry is taking the Houston agriculture scene by storm. - Bobcat Mowers Expands CLK Lawn Care and Landscaping Business
Bobcat Mowers Expands CLK Lawn Care and Landscaping Business
Cody Kuebler started CLK Lawn Care and Landscaping at the age of 11, he expanded his business with two Bobcat ZS4000 Mowers and now his team only uses Bobcat mowers. - Omaha Contractors Provide Tornado Relief with Bobcat Equipment
Omaha Contractors Provide Tornado Relief with Bobcat Equipment
Local contractors in Omaha, Nebraska, including Ideal Construction and Mitera Landscaping, rallied with Bobcat machines to aid in tornado cleanup and community support. - Bobcat Compact Tractor Provides Solace for Mobile Crisis Clinician
Bobcat Compact Tractor Provides Solace for Mobile Crisis Clinician
Therese Swift, a mobile crisis clinician, mitigates work stress by tending to her horses and mules, with her Bobcat CT4045 compact tractor aiding in the upkeep. - Shades of Green Nursery Unites Community with Bobcat Equipment
Shades of Green Nursery Unites Community with Bobcat Equipment
At Shades of Green Nursery, founder Julie Holland uses Bobcat equipment to unite the community in Celina, Texas with inclusive gardening practices that support the local ecosystem. - Bobcat and RADshare Partner for Youth BMX Opportunities
Bobcat and RADshare Partner for Youth BMX Opportunities
Bobcat Company is supporting co-founders Steve Crandall and Nate Hanger of RADshare with Bobcat Equipment to provide opportunities for the youth to dive into the world of BMX. - JJC Tree Services LLC Grows with Bobcat Equipment
JJC Tree Services LLC Grows with Bobcat Equipment
John Shreaves of JJC Tree Services LLC launched and grew his business with his Bobcat compact track loaders and attachments to help him accomplish more. - Julie Rummer – Bobcat $25k Backyard Makeover Winner
Julie Rummer – Bobcat $25k Backyard Makeover Winner
After a tragic accident Julie Rummer's backyard was inaccessible and now thanks to Bobcat’s backyard makeover contest, it is an oasis, reigniting her outdoor passion. - Bobcat Leasing Program Provides Reliability for GBH Enterprises
Bobcat Leasing Program Provides Reliability for GBH Enterprises
Reliability and appearances are important on high-profile jobs. That’s why GBH Enterprises chooses two-year leases to ensure a modern fleet for every project. - Bobcat Joystick Controls Enable Mario Coss’ Dream
Bobcat Joystick Controls Enable Mario Coss’ Dream
Bobcat machines with joystick controls enabled Mario Coss to fulfill his dream to be a business owner, even after a crash that changed his life in an instant.
What’s Your Bobcat Story?
Taking on big, ambitious challenges is what being One Tough Animal® is all about. Tell us how Bobcat empowers or inspires you to accomplish more. Whether it’s at work, at play or in life, share your story with us.
Share Your Story