When Rachel left for the Peace Corp, she always planned on returning to the family orchard where she grew up working with her grandparents. She got her first taste of beekeeping while working in Paraguay, South America and little did she know her future husband, who was deployed to Afghanistan wo...

Chad Bell, a grain and livestock farmer from Viola, IL, raises corn, beans, wheat, and pigs. When he recently uncovered his grandparents’ handwritten farm journals, he found a powerful connection to his family’s legacy—daily notes on weather, struggles, and innovation. Now, Chad shares both his m...

Alice Michlik, a classically educated East Peoria native, returned home after business school in New York to launch Birdhouse Coffee—an entrepreneurial nod to a beloved local legacy. Her mobile coffee shop is more than a business; it’s a hub for community connection and a platform to spotlight lo...

Beth Marcoot and her sister Amy run a 7th-generation dairy farm in Greenville, IL, where Jersey cows graze on pasture and are milked with robotic milkers. Since 2010, they’ve been making award-winning cheese and have expanded into Wagyu/Jersey beef, agritourism, and innovative products like Extre...

Marcellus Sommerville, President and CEO of Friendship House in Peoria, is passionate about providing hope to those in need. Growing up with little, he became a father figure to his siblings—an early training ground for his future in service. After a 14-year pro basketball career overseas, he ret...

John grew up helping on the family farm and in their retail business, building a strong work ethic. After playing college baseball and earning an MBA, he and his dad Don founded Michlig Ag Solutions in 2024, offering Ground Level Dispatch to deliver real-time market info to farmers.

Lisa and Bob turned their dream into reality by opening Tres Rojas Winery in Washington, IL, after years of dedication. They cultivate 11 grape varieties and welcome visitors to their tasting room from May to September. The winery also features a scenic event space, making it a destination for wi...

Marci and Sean Meyer of Kirkwood, IL, embraced diversification by planting an apple orchard and opening a farm store featuring locally sourced goods. They bought an old cider press, and Marci rises at 4 a.m. daily to bake fresh doughnuts and pastries. Their success is deeply rooted in community s...

Molly Blogg, owner and CEO of Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton, IL, is carrying on her family’s legacy as a second-generation leader. Renowned for their niche Hosta market, they offer 400 varieties, attracting "Hostaholics" from across the Midwest and shipping nationwide.

Randy Starnes, raised near Chillicothe, IL, owns Crooked Row Farm, a family-run operation specializing in organic vegetables. Visitors are welcomed like family, with the farm’s popular Strawberry U-Pick patch as a highlight. They also offer CSA subscriptions, providing fresh, seasonal produce to ...

Rafael Vidal, a second-generation coffee farmer from Colombia, is the general manager of his family-owned Café Santa Rosa in Peoria, IL, sourcing all coffee from their own farm. A former bull rider, he now owns a bucking bull and remains active in the rodeo circuit. Beyond that, he’s a skilled ma...

Farming takes resilience, and for 47 years, the Dolbeare's of Pleasant Hill, IL, have worked to grow their farm and improve it for the next generation. Beyond farming, they serve in the Coast Guard Auxiliary—Eric as a pilot and Roberta as aircrew. Roberta also dedicates her time to the Illinois S...

Megan Couch, a passionate entrepreneur from Sheffield, IL, has spent her life immersed in the restaurant industry. In her early teenage years, she worked tirelessly in the business, gaining hands-on experience of what it takes to create a successful establishment. At just 23 years old, she became...

Matt, a 4th gen farmer from Owaneco, IL, is deeply rooted in both agriculture and community service. He’s a Senior Research Manager for the IL Answer Plot and raises corn, beans, cattle and has a custom bailing business. Matt wants to have a positive impact on his community by supporting the loca...

Jon Griffel, a sixth-generation grain and cattle farmer from Carlinville, IL, isn’t just growing crops and cattle. He’s cultivating a vision for his community. His passion for agriculture goes beyond the farm gate. He’s working to launch "Our Market," a local food co-op designed to keep homegrown...

Justin and Bobby Allaman are 6th-generation grain farmers from Monmouth, Illinois, carrying on their family's deep-rooted ag legacy. In addition to growing high-quality grain, they offer pasture-raised poultry, providing farm-fresh, locally sourced products directly to consumers. Their passion fo...

Matt Boucher, a fourth-generation farmer from Dwight, IL, grows more than just corn and soybeans. His family farm offers pork, chicken, eggs, pumpkins, and popcorn directly to consumers, creating a meaningful connection with their customers. Sharing their farm’s story has been a rewarding experie...

Chelsey Stotler, a senior at Stark Co High School is serving as the FFA President. She was a National FFA Finalist in Ag Science and is excited about her future college plans and job in the industry. The leadership and communication skills she has gleaned from FFA conferences and competitions is ...

Drew is 4th generation farming the family farm in Woodhull, IL and was recognized by the Illinois Soybean Association as a "20 under 40" award winner for his leadership. Adrienne did not grow up on a farm and shares stories of all she has learned over the years and stresses the importance of prio...

Todd Main has more than 20yrs experience in leading initiatives to advance support for sustainable public policies. As Director of Market Development at the Illinois Soybean Association, he develops strategies to support new uses for Illinois soybeans and good trade relations with potential buyer...

Tate Ulm of Farmington, IL, is Brand Ambassador for Black Band Distillery, a small-batch craft distillery nestled in Peoria’s vibrant Warehouse District who proudly sources its grains from local organic farmers. Once celebrated as the whiskey capital of the world, Peoria’s rich distilling legacy ...

Dave Bishop from Atlanta, IL teaches regenerative agriculture classes at Heartland College but for the past 40 years he has farmed. A drought in 1988 caused him to think about his farm differently and became certified organic in 2004 and highly diversify his farm. Finding ways to keep the wealth ...

Megan is a fourth-generation farmer from Geneseo, Illinois. She survived a head-on collision that almost took her life two years ago and is still healing. She is the Director of Conservation and Nutrient Stewardship at IL Corn. Corn check-off is a vital part of ensuring the best interests of IL c...

Sara is the fourth generation on the farm where her family grows corn and soybeans. From a young age, she developed a connection to agriculture, especially through her love of showing pigs—a passion that began at just 8 years old. Today, Sara continues to contribute to the farm she loves while al...