Lamb of God Farm

Esther’s Place
201 W. Galena Street (Route 30)
Big Rock, IL  60511
630-556-WOOL (9665)
www.esthersplacefibers.com

Scott and Donna Lehrer, together with their children Natasha (18) and Eric (15), farm thirteen acres in Big Rock, Illinois, about an hour west of Chicago. The Lehrers have been farming this land for five years.

Lamb of God Farm produces specialty fruit and vegetable crops of all kinds—they are known for being unique. They’ll offer 152 varieties for the 2005 season, most of them heirlooms. The Lehrers have over 160 chickens that they keep for eggs. They also produce wool and goats’ milk and grow oats, field corn and hay.

Each family member has a very active role on the farm. Natasha and Eric pitch in on everything from weeding and farmers markets to stall cleaning and addressing mailers. Eric is the caretaker of the chickens and is the sole proprietor of Eric’s Poultry Farm. His responsibilities include caring for the pullets and cockerels, as well as handling and marketing his eggs, which are state-licensed and inspected. Eric also takes a lead with machinery, farming and harvesting. Natasha writes articles and materials for the farm in addition to making soap and carving out a handspinning career with her yarns and such. She even spins the hair of Ezekiel, the family’s Shetland Sheepdog! Natasha also stays involved with the garden.

Donna is the farm’s main contact person and does much of the bookwork as well as taking charge of daily tasks with the animals, crops, and family life. Scott handles farm operations, performing tillage, planting, cultivating and harvesting activities as well as opening the farmstand each market day. Scott is also the lead contact for the Fertrell Dealership. The Fertrell Company, in business since 1946, is an industry leader in the distribution and sales of all-natural and organic products for farm, livestock, landscaping, home and garden. Lamb of God Farm is currently not certified organic but practices at levels required for certification.

Another project of the Lehrer’s is Esther’s Place, a Fiber Arts Studio that features wool from the Lamb of God Farm as well as from other local Illinois flocks.  The shop offers fleece, roving, yarn and wool gifts, as well as spinning wheels, looms, needles and other related accessories.  You can find more information about Esther’s Place at www.esthersplacefibers.com or contact Natasha Lehrer at Natasha@estersplacefibers.com.

Why is growing organic a priority for your family?
We have chosen to grow organic because the Creator destined for things to be grown in a way that respects the abundant resources He has blessed us with. We feel farming with organic methods is the only safe and wise way to farm; thus, we want our family, soil and products to be healthy and pure. Essentially, growing organic was not a choice but, rather, a necessity.

What is your favorite part of being an organic farmer?
As an organic farmer, the most gratifying feeling is knowing we can provide a tasty, high quality, unique and SAFE product to consumers, and it’s wonderful to see smiles on their faces.

What is your least favorite part?
One word: WEEDS! Yet, to look on the bright side, weeds do provide valid evidence that our farm is organic. Weeds have also been a good soil fertility indicator.

Why should people buy organic products instead of other options?
If taste, flavor, and nutritional content alone don’t convince consumers to choose organic, the research, tests and health issues pertaining to the effects of chemicals should influence them!

Why is your farm special?
Our farm is very unique because of our diversification. The crops we grow feed the livestock we raise and they provide the basis of many of the products we sell alongside the produce. All of our products are made on the farm by our family, and they include balms, soaps, handspun yarn, eggs, vinegars and more. The produce, our specialties being salad greens, squash and heirloom tomatoes, is bursting with flavor, with colors and varieties spanning the spectrum. Even the equipment we use is a reminder of farming from an older era. Most importantly, however, is the sense of unity between each one of us in working the land. Ours defines, in every sense of the word, a family farm.

Where do you want your business to be in the next year? 5 years? 10 years?
We’re taking each day step by step, keeping our sights above, and letting the good Lord guide us. We foresee the next decade as a time to grow a steady clientele for the farm, with the goal of sustaining our family entirely from the farm. As we look back at the past few years, including an Illinois Department of Agriculture grant to promote cooking specialty crops, we’re likely to pursue exciting opportunities along the way!

Where can consumers get your products?
We sell our products at area farmers markets, through a produce subscription service, and on the farm, by appointment.

Updated 4/30/2006