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Moore Family
Farm
2013 N. 1950 East Road
Watseka, IL 60970
This farm has been in the Moore family for nearly a century. Jim Moore
began working the farm twenty-five years ago while he was in high school
and purchased it from his grandmother in 1985. Today, Moore Family Farm
is under the care of Jim, his wife, Diann, and their two sons, Wes (17)
and Aaron (15).
The farm’s 100 acres are comprised of 60 acres of tillable land
and 40 acres of timber. Between 15-18 acres are dedicated to vegetable
and fruit production, and the Moores also produce a myriad of meat and
poultry products. The assortment includes grass-fed beef, lamb, and pasture-raised
Tamworth pork. On the poultry side there are chickens (for both meat
and eggs), turkeys, Holiday pasture-raised Bourbon Red Turkeys, and,
uniquely, 100 ducks for eggs. No animals are raised in conventional confinement.
Even as teenagers, Wes and Aaron are an invaluable part of the farming
operation, and both plan to continue on the farm as adults. Their responsibilities
include daily care for all the animals, working in the garden and at
farmers markets, and making CSA deliveries. The Moores hire no help outside
their own family. They believe that they cannot hire the same level of
care, hard work, and commitment that they have as a family working together
to maintain their own farm. Though we can’t forget the family’s
three pugs—Max, A.J. and Bess.
In the mid-1980s, the Moores began the transition from conventional agricultural
practices to ones that are friendly to people, animals and the environment.
Moore Family Farm is currently not certified organic, but everything
on the farm is produced and raised naturally, without pesticides, antibiotics,
or growth hormones.
The Moores were featured in a May 12, 2005 USA Today article about CSA
Farms. Click here to read “Support from city folk takes root on
the farm.”
Knowing how and where your food is grown or produced. Genuine
concern for the land and environment. Enhancing nature, not destroying
it. A dramatic difference in quality and flavor of the food produced.
Our priority is regenerating health and vitality to the soil. Healthier
food means healthier people.
Watching the miracle of life unfold before your eyes, and
the deep satisfaction of knowing that all life is interconnected.
Seeing results of your labor develop into an abundant harvest.
Being appreciated by your customers, knowing that you have helped
someone who cares about the whole picture.
Being viewed as a lunatic or an eccentric, finding cultural and
pre-industrial farming and livestock information, staying ahead
of the weeds, damaging
weather—floods, droughts, storms, early freeze—crop failures,
cold fingers and aching body parts.
Connecting directly with your food supply, directly supporting farmers
who are being good environmental stewards, obvious health choice—“no-cides.” The
consumer has the choice to vote with their food dollars.
We are unique—a small family-owned and operated farm. Biodiversified—openfield,
pasture, woodland and wildlife integrated into the landscape with the
diversity of crops and livestock. We work toward being as self-sufficient
as our forefathers. A farm for families to feel safe knowing where, how,
and by whom their food is produced.
In the next five years we would like to see our farm expand its market
area to provide a secure job future for our two sons—so they can
continue being good stewards. In ten years we’ll be watching our
family grow and knowing that when they are on the farm they are in a
safe and healthy environment. That when they something direct from the
garden or tree, it is the best we have. We hope to have a secure customer
base to support ourselves and our two sons.
Click here to learn more about the farm or here to
find out more about Wes.
We sell our produce through the Prairieland CSA of Champaign, IL; visit
the website for details.
Products are also available at food coops and bacaro restaurant
in Champaign, IL.
For more information on Moore Family Farm, contact the Moores at (815)
432-6238. |
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