By Stan Maddux Indiana Correspondent
LACROSSE, Ind. — A large family farm thriving since its humble beginnings near Chicago is among the food producers to be featured during the Indiana State Fair. Dutch Valley Growers dates back to 1933 when Jim Paarlberg’s grandfather in South Holland, Illinois, started raising onion sets and later tomatoes for Campbell’s Soup on rented farm land. Paarlberg said his father, Conrad, and uncle, Wayne, along with several of their brothers later wanted to purchase their own land to raise crops but didn’t have enough money and fertile undeveloped soil was sparse from urban sprawl. Paarlberg said he was six-years old when his father and uncles pooled what little resources they had in response to opportunity to purchase land and relocate the farm across the state line in LaCrosse in the northwest part of the state. He said the move about 60 miles away was risky not just financially but deep roots from their close knit community were pulled and reestablished elsewhere. The gamble, though, paid off. More acreage was added to the farm and during the 1980s tomatoes for Heinz were added to their onion sets and other crops. “They had lots of perseverance. They knew how to work and they worked hard,” Paarlberg said. Today, the farm raises onion sets, shallots and garlic shipped under the Dutch Valley Growers label to customers in farm stores and garden sections at major retailers nationwide. For years now, tomatoes at the farm are grown for Red Gold, a major long established national supplier of ketchup and other tomato based products based in central Indiana. “The owners have been on our farm. The owners know our names. They’ve been very, very good to us,” he said. Paarlberg said one of the keys to the tremendous growth at the farm is a motto farmed in his office: “Big things happen when little things are done right.” “And that’s so true on the farm,” he said. Paarlberg is also humble enough not to take most of the credit. He said a lot of factors like weather are beyond his control but he feels a responsibility to overcome the blows dealt by Mother Nature as much as possible and also give thanks to the benefits she brings to his crops. Enhancing his feeling of good fortune and success is watching his three grown sons, who work full-time at the farm, carry out and get better at their wide range of responsibilities. His sons along with their wives have also given him seven grandchildren. The farm also raises seed corn for Pioneer, feed corn along with soybeans. His 33-year son, Ryan, will represent the farm on August 16 during the state fair, which runs July 29 to August 21. “It’s pretty cool,” he said. 17 other farms were also chosen for this year’s Featured Farmers program now in its 7th year. The program is designed to put a face on Hoosier agriculture by connecting consumers with fellow Hoosiers growing the food they eat. Featured farmers interact with fairgoers about things like how they grow they crops. “Our Featured Farmers program connects fairgoers to Hoosier farmers daily during the State Fair with opportunities to learn more about where their food comes from,” said Cindy Hoye, executive director, Indiana State Fair Commission. “These farmers have incredible stories to tell, and we are proud to honor and celebrate them,” she said. Ryan Paarlberg does everything from planting and spraying the crops to fixing mechanical break downs and marketing the onion sets and garlic. He said he likes doing a variety of work to keep things fresh but a lot of time and work are required especially when something unexpected happens to make the days even longer. Here is the complete list of featured farmers, farm products and their home counties: (July 29) Sheller Family Farms (Corn), Hamilton County (July 30) Martin Family Farms (Swine), Warren County (July 31) Red Frazier Bison Ranch (Bison), Greene County (August 3) Goin’s Blueberry Lane (Blueberries), Starke County (August 4) Gutwein Popcorn (Popcorn), Pulaski County (August 5) Hodgen Farms (Soybeans), Putnam County (August 6) New Age Provisions Farm (Urban Farmer), Marion County (August 7) Eggersman Brothers Cattle (Beef Cattle), Jackson County (August 10) Salomon Farms LLC (Corn/Soybeans, Custom baling), Whitley County (August 11) Countryside and Apple Hill Orchards (Apples), Vanderburgh (August 12) Wagler Dairy (Dairy Cattle), Brown County (August 13) Dutch Valley Growers (Tomatoes & Onions), LaPorte County (August 14) Superior Dairy (Dairy Cattle), DeKalb County (August 17) 3D Valley Farm (Maple Syrup and other farm delicacies), Harrison County (August 18) Mark & Peggy Jones (Hardwoods), Orange County (August 19) Bourbon Bound Farms (Whiskey/Corn/Cover Crops), Jackson County (August 20) Lick Creek Flower Company (Flowers), Madison County (August 21) Scott Farms (Wheat, Corn & Soybeans), Cass County |