Farmers
About Heather Hampton+Knodle
A HUMBLING JOB
Being in nature is literally grounding. There’s nothing more humbling than witnessing animals give birth or losing a crop or calf to weather or some unforeseen circumstance. On the other hand, it’s really gratifying to have a successful yield and to see the calves or baby goats run up to you in the pasture with ears flopping. In these moments, you know you are successful in your role as a steward of land and life.
FROM FFA TO THE FAMILY FARM
Brian and I met at an FFA district contest in high school. We were both interviewing to compete at the state level in different business projects. Brian attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and double majored in agriculture production and agriculture business while I went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture communications. Today, our four children are active in helping in the field and with the livestock we raise.
CROPS, COWS … AND GOATS
We primarily raise corn, soybeans and wheat on our farm. We also have a small herd of Black Angus cows and are starting to get into the goat business after a few years of owning pet Pygmy and Alpine goats.
We take our roles as farmers very seriously and work every day to leave the soil on our farm in better condition than the day before so that it can be fruitful for future generations.
