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 modern farming journey and legacy through social media.
Up Next in Season 5
-
Alice Michlik | Birdhouse Coffee | A ...
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 | Marcoot Jersey Creamer...
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 | Friendship Ho...
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...
