SVM_Ag Magazine_Winter 2025

Rochelle had its hay-day in the sun. How do you keep a farm going for more than 150 years? For a Lee County family, it comes down a basic belief: You never give up. A Q&A with three of Illinois’ state FFA leaders. The couple caring for a long-time family farm decided to say ‘no’ to chemicals and ‘yes’ to a more natural approach.

Decades after the last Oliver tractor rolled off the line, a German Valley farmer is keeping the brand alive and well in his very own museum page4

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Nothing but the finest

Decades after the last Oliver tractor rolled off the line, an area farmer is keeping the brand alive and well in his very own museum.

inside

10 Happy Trail

Rochelle got its hay-day in the sun, thanks to a community collaboration of art and ag that gave people a lot to smile about.

16 Perseverance

How do you keep a farm going for over 150 years? For one Lee County family, it comes down a basic belief: You never give up.

24 Many hands working together

Three of Illinois’ FFA leaders talk about the lessons they’re learning and the lessons they’re passing along.

30 No formulas for success

The couple caring for a longtime family farm decided to say ‘no’ to chemicals and ‘yes’ to a more natural approach.

Decades after the last Oliver tractor rolled off the line, a German Valley farmer is keeping the brand alive and well in a museum packed with thousands of items, and just as many stories, celebrating the green machines

rand loyalty is a big thing in the farming world.

IH red. John Deere green. New Holland blue … whatever their choice, farmers aren’t afraid to show their true colors.

Rick Garnhart’s is green — no, not that green.

The German Valley farmer’s green of choice is a shade darker than that other green, and belongs to the gone — but far from forgotten — maker of Oliver farm equipment, once one of the leading tractor makers in the industry.

And as far as Garnhart is concerned, they’re still a leader.

Garnhart, 74, still uses Oliver tractors on his nearly century-old family Hereford cattle farm, but his brand loyalty doesn’t stop there. He’s also turned decades of farm life, 50-plus years in the auction business, and a never-ending quest for collecting into one of the Midwest’s most impressive shrines to “the finest in farm machinery,” a museum that houses all things Oliver.

Garnhart’s Oliver Museum is a treasure trove filled with anything bearing the brand’s name and logo, from local mementos and literature to one-of-akind special edition toys still safely packed in their boxes.

OLIVER cont’d to page 6

Not many Olivers are driving on the dirt these days, as the last one was made in 1976, but Garnhart is keeping its more-than-100-year history alive for future generations through his working collection and museum.

“If you don’t preserve it for people, they won’t see it and talk about it,” Garnhart said. “I like to show it to people. I didn’t buy it to hide it in a closet. I bought it to show. If you’re an Oliver geek, we’ll sit here and talk for hours. They may know where something is that I need, and I may know where something is that they

need and can trade.”

Oliver’s history begins with the Oliver Chilled Plow Works, founded in 1853 by John Oliver in Indiana. Later acquisitions, including that of Hart-Paar, resulted in the forming of the Oliver Farm Equipment Company in 1929. In 1960, White Motor Corporation purchased Oliver and made it a subsidiary, changing its name to Oliver Corporation. White discontinued the Oliver name in 1976, and it has descended into the AGCO brand of machinery.

“It its day, they were very simple to work on,” Garnhart said. “If you had a crescent wrench and a ball peen hammer, you could fix an Oliver. Today you need to have a computer to do all of that. They were honest with horsepower, they weren’t expensive. You could buy a new Oliver 88 for $1,200-$1,500 bucks in its day. Today, a restored one would cost about $5,000-$6,000.”

Garnhart will occasionally bring out his tractors to show visitors, but they’re largely for farm work or on display for special occasions such as local tractor ride events and the occasional open house he’ll have in the summer. For now, though, they were put away in early September for the winter.

Meanwhile, the museum is a tightly-packed tribute to Olivers featuring a wide array of items: toys, sales literature, manuals, signs, key fobs (including one from 1890, the oldest item in the museum), pins and pencils, calendars, yardsticks, wrenches, thermometers, jacks and jackets, decals, ashtrays, plaques and parts — you name it and he’s probably got it, and if he doesn’t he’s still trying to track it down. The collection of thousands of items has been a work in progress for around 60 years, and with such a wide range of memorabilia, there’s no end in sight.

Each piece has a story, and he’s happy to tell them. As for Garnhart’s story, it began with his father Virl’s commitment to the brand, and like the tractors he’s so fond of, it’s just kept on going. He began displaying his collection to the public in 2000, after decades of collecting.

“Most people wouldn’t look for things like this, but when I go to an antique shop, I look for them,” Garnhart said. “It’s got to go home with me. That’s the passion about finding something. People will say, ‘You have everything.’ Well, there’s always something else out there. You never know.”

In an age before the internet, sales brochures and booklets at implement dealers were the “websites” of their day, packed with information on the latest Oliver equipment. Worn and well-used during their time, these days many of the books are hard to find in their original binding, Garnhart said, but their value to Oliver collectors is priceless, each page filled with facts about the Oliver brand.

“Years ago, nearly every wall was full of literature,” Garnhart said. “You’d take it home and study it for three or four days, and if you wanted to buy a new manure spreader or a new corn picker, you’d go back to the dealer and then look at the real thing.”

That’s how Garnhart and his father sought their equipment years ago.

The closest Oliver dealer to town was owned by brothers Earl and Walter Ratmeyer in Forreston, which was in operation from 1929-71. Walter was also a mechanic who developed a hydraulic system on Oliver 77s and 88s. Today, many Ratmeyer items have found a home in Garnhart’s collection. The Ratmeyers sold to Forreston farmer Derald DeVries in 1971; he saw the business transition into the White brand a few years later and closed it in 1991, with Garnhart conducting the auction.

Getting to know the Ratmeyers helped inspire Garnhart in his mission to promote and preserve the Oliver tradition.

“That really kicked me in gear to get into die-hard collecting,” Garnhart said. “I got to know the Ratmeyer brothers. They’re gone now, but I picked their brains a lot. I’d go down there and talk and talk.”

Dealership signs are among the largest pieces of Garnhart’s collection. One of them is from the Badger Farm Store in Clinton, Wis., once the state’s largest Oliver dealer. It used to lease between 400 to 500 tractors a year to the Green Giant vegetable company, which had a plant about 20 miles south of town in Belvidere.

OLIVER cont’d to page 9

There’s stuff here, there and Oliver the place

Machinery, manuals, mementoes, memorabilia and more, if it’s a piece of Oliver history, chances are you’ll find it in Rick Garnhart’s museum. “That’s the passion about finding something,” he said. “People will say, ‘You have everything.’ Well, there’s always something else out there. You never know.”

This 1890 fob featur ing Oliver Chilled Plow Works founder John Oliver is the oldest piece of Oliver memorabilia in Garnhart’s museum.

Some of the biggest pieces in Garnhart’s collection are dealership signs. Many old metal signs didn’t survive the toll of time — pelted with pellets from BB guns, pressed into service to patch an old barn, or just victims of the elements — and today they’re highly sought after by collectors

Oliver also acted as a secondary brand for some dealerships, such as one in Davis owned by John Hessenthaler, which sold Case tractors and Oliver parts. While Hessenthaler Case items are more common, seeing one with Oliver on it is rare, Garnhart said.

When he’s not tending to the family’s Mud Creek Farms, where he works with his wife Linda, son Andrew and Andrew’s wife Christy, he’s always keeping his eyes peeled for Oliver green, looking for that certain piece he needs or one he’s never seen before.

It’s “the enjoyment of the history and the enjoyment of not seeing something before” that keeps him going on his quest, he said. Sometimes he’ll come home with memorabilia from other brands, which he’ll use as “trade bait,” he said.

Rick Garnhart’s Oliver museum, 6372 Edwardsville Road in German Valley, is open by appointment. Call 815238-3044 to arrange a visit or for more information.

Among his most sought-out items are machines and equipment that Oliver manufactured during World War II for the war effort such as graders, forklifts, road rollers, crawlers and power units; few of those were made for civilian use and most were repurposed after the war. Oliver also made outboard boat motors during the 1950s; he has four of those.

Visitors come from all over — agriculture radio voice Max Armstrong has stopped by twice — and some even pass along pieces for the museum. Sometimes Garnhart will hand out toy tractors to kids who visit, hopefully planting the seed of a future tractor collector like himself. “It’s quite the hobby,” he said. “My grandchildren seem to want to be in it, and hopefully I can encourage them.”

That may be the real story of this place — not the metal, not the memorabilia, but the way it keeps memory alive. When the day comes that Garnhart can no longer tend to the museum, he has plans to will it to his grandchildren. Even if they wind up not being interested, he’d still like to see it all preserved at a museum somewhere, he said.

To him, every sign, every wrench, every faded catalog carries a story that deserves to be preserved.

“They’re all different and no two are alike,” Garnhart said. “It’s really different. “I drive a lot and see a lot of things. Every now and then I’ll see something at an auction, but not there’s not as much at those. Anybody can find John Deere and Case-IH but not a lot of Oliver – and that’s why I like doing this so much. I got thousands of pieces that most guys don’t collect, but I do.” n Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

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Lincoln Manor Senior Housing got a little squirrely with its hay bale creation.

Despite what they say, hay isn’t just for horses.

Creative people like it, too. Give ’em a few cans of paint and some props and they can turn a hay bale into Hei Hei (pronounced, “hay hay,” of course) the Rooster from Disney’s “Moana,” roosting on the side of the road.

The whimsically fowl fella was one of dozens of hay bale creations in Rochelle, where livestock’s lunch is transformed into an annual citywide show of community spirit each October, when the town becomes a hub of artistic activity.

ROCHELLE got its hay-day in the sun, courtesy of a well-rounded community collaboration of art and ag that gave people a lot to smile about

around 20 businesses and organizations decorate. This year we have almost 60. Each year’s creations are better than the year before. It’s so much fun to see what everyone comes up with.” Schoenholz Farms in Paw Paw has supplied the hay for the event for the past five years, and the City of Rochelle buys the bales and drops them off at participating sites during the fall harvest. They are returned to Schoenholz at the end of the month. Participants supply their own paint and props.

Rochelle’s Haybale Trail featured hay bales designed by local businesses, schools, churches and community organizations. The trail runs mostly through town, with some bales just outside the city.

This year’s works featured animals, Halloween scenes, support for Rochelle High School Hubs sports teams, cartoon characters, food, and other well-rounded creations.

The idea for the agricultural art show started in 2016 when a former Rochelle resident built a Statue of Liberty from straw, City of Rochelle Director of Community Engagement Jenny Thompson said. Since then, it’s just kept on growing.

“We thought it would be fun for the entire community to join in and decorate hay bales, and it really took off from there,” Thompson said. “In the first year we hoped to have

Right now, the art show is just for fun, but city officials are looking at adding a contest component in the future, Thompson said.

“Visitors to Rochelle love to travel around town to see the different creations,” she said. “We have people who come to Rochelle every fall just to see the bales. While they are here, they visit our restaurants and shops and we’re so thankful for that.”

Northern Illinois AgMag’s Cody Cutter took a trip on the trail and took photos of some of the bales. His photos appear on the following pages (more pictures, from this year’s show as well as past years, can be found on the City of Rochelle’s Facebook page).

Who knows, maybe flipping through the photos will inspire you to tell yourself, “Hay — I could that!”

Mason Smith Auto Repair was Light years ahead of the other bale artists, with its creation inspired by the tire company in Disney-Pixar’s “Cars.”

Hey hay, Hei Hei! Rochelle Park District’s REC Center had some fun with words for its bale advertising one of its events: A “dive-in movie” showing of Disney’s ocean-themed cartoon “Moana,” which features the rooster.

What’s the best time to go to the dentist? Before tooth hurty, of course, as Maintain Your Smile Dental’s display reminded people.

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It’s the Great Hay Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, courtesy of Lightning Detail, a downtown car detailing business.

The ingredients for Aldi’s caramel apple? Straw, a wood pole, spray foam, and some pool noodles.

Skull and cones: The Country School restaurant’s ice cream cone was a chilling sight.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, in 2024 an estimated total of 445,000 acres were used for hay in Illinois (260,000 for alfalfa and 185,000 for other hay), producing approximately 1.475 million tons of hay (975,000 tons of alfalfa and 500,000 of other hay). Illinois’ average yield for alfalfa hay was 3.75 tons per acre. The average is between four and five feet round weighs between 600 and 1,500 pounds.

Life on a family farm has always been filled with hard work and long hours, but it’s also a life filled with memories made in fields and farmhouses alike, by families forged from a shared dedication and devotion to living off the land — and if they were fortunate enough, turning the land into a livelihood.

In Ashton, the family behind a farm there has been one of the ones fortunate enough to do just that. For more than 150 years, the land has been a way of life for the Chapman Family, who are carrying on a legacy that began with John R. Chapman in the 1860s — but like the industry they’re in, they’ve had to learn to grow to do it. These days, time and toil alone isn’t enough.

“It’s become different,” said Stephen Chapman, who represents the sixth generation of Chapmans on the family farm. “It used to be that you could work hard and then work your way out of most situations, but that’s really not the way it is anymore. You got to be on top with it and sharp with your pencil and your plans.”

Stephen — named after his grandfather, who died in 2015 — does much of the farming these days, having taken over from his father Brad and uncle David. His grandma Brenda continues to live on the farm, as does David.

The elder Stephen’s father, Phillips, farmed up until the mid-1900s and his father Emmerson operated it around the turn of the 20th century. Today, the family raises grain, cattle and chickens, and some apple trees remain from when the fruit was an important part of the operation many decades ago.

Being more aware and strategic in planning to sustain the multi-generational farm’s success weighs heavy on Stephen’s mind, and he sometimes wonders how his ancestors kept the farm — once called Willow Farm — going more than a century ago. “You’d love to talk with your ancestors to ask them what drove them and what kept them going,” he said.

CHAPMAN cont’d to page 18

PHOTO, PREVIOUS PAGE:

The Chapman Family of Ashton has farmed on the same land for more than 150 years. From left: Stephen and Amanda Chapman — the sixth generation to operate the farm — Stephen’s father Brad Chapman, aunt Teresa Davidson, uncle David Chapman and grandma Brenda Kay Chapman. In the back row are Madison and Emmerson Chapman, Stephen and Amanda's children.

CODY CUTTER/ CCUTTER@SHAWMEDIA.COM

CHAPMAN cont’d from page 17

Emmerson was the nephew of John, who had two girls who died at an early age. Emmerson’s father, Madison, served in the Civil War and died two years after its conclusion from injuries he sustained in it.

Stephen’s young daughters with his wife Amanda carry on their ancestors’ legacies through their names, Madison and Emmerson, representing the seventh generation and performing small tasks such as filling the farm’s sweet corn and egg stands.

“They love to help,” their father said. “They love riding in the tractors and love checking cows. They’ll be involved, but you just never know.”

The Chapmans attribute much of their success to their commitment to hard work but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been able to carve out time to unwind, like playing sports or games like Cowboys and Indians, which is what Brad and David did a lot when they were young, just a few of the fond memories the family shares.

“It’s work, but it’s fun,” said Brenda, who continues to perform light errands on the farm. “It’s a team effort to make this place work. The kids had a lot of fun on the farm. Their friends always wanted to come to the farm.”

The free-roaming nature of growing up on a farm sometimes made it challenge to get used to hanging out with friends in town, David said, where businesses and buildings weren’t as much fun as barns in the back forty.

Even with all the joy and freedom the farm gave them, the Chapmans never lost sight of the challenges that came with it, each year a test of their patience and grit.

“There’s a lot of great times and there’s a lot of challenging times,” David said. “The perseverance that you have to have year in and year out, whether you’re successful or having a bad year, you just got to persevere. If you raise a cow and see one of its calves die as soon as it’s born, you keep going. You just endure and keep going. You have dry years, you have good years. It’s just a way of life. A lot of people would probably give up, but it’s just not in our blood to give up.”

CHAPMAN cont’d to page 20

from page 18

It’s also not in their blood to dwell on the downsides; farmers can’t afford it, Brad said.

While their eyes are firmly on the future of their farm, the Chapmans also have a respect and reverence for the past, and the legacy that generations before them have established. “You’d love to talk with your ancestors to ask them what drove them and what kept them going,” said Stephen. As for what drives him: These days it’s a 1967 IH 1100 pickup he’s working on restoring.

“As kids, you complain about having to work harder than anybody else, like the town kids, but eventually as an adult, that’s instilled in you,” Brad said. “Only until you reflect on all of the time that’s passed, and how quickly it’s passed, do you realize what it is that you are accomplishing. You don’t think of each individual task, and if you did, you’d go crazy. You’re taught your morals and your ethics to just work hard and push through it.”

These days, Brad and David have pulled back somewhat from their farm duties as they’ve gotten older, but they still enjoy watching how the current crop of Chapmans are keeping the farm healthy. Brad says he’s proud of the way Stephen is handling the farm’s finances, admitting his son’s doing a lot better than him. When Stephen took over, he reduced the farm’s debt and sought help from other growers to help keep the farm going.

That steady work ethic has carried through each generation, shaping how the Chapmans approach both their labor and their legacy.

“It’s a unique thing that a lot of people don’t have the privilege to experience,” Stephen said. “You have to like it, and it can be very fulfilling and rewarding. There’s not many lifestyles that are also a career. There’s not many careers where you can start something, finish something, and see the fruits of your labor. Most people have jobs with one specific workflow, or one specific part of an entire process, but when you’re farming, you get to do the whole thing, literally from seed to harvest.”

Below is a vintage drawing of the original family homestead during John R. Chapman’s farming days in the 1800s. At left is a photo of the family farms’ original stone house, which was once part of the farm throughout most of its 150-plus years, and can be seen in the drawing below.

Stephen Chapman reads through a copy of the original trust deed for the farm, while his father Brad looks on.

Bibles once played an important role in family history, serving as genealogical records containing handwritten notes of milestones such as births, deaths and marriages. At right is the Chapmans’, which dates back to the 1870s.

Brad and David’s sister Teresa Davidson no longer lives on the farm and is a nurse for the University of Wisconsin healthcare system in the Rockford area, but her time on the farm helped her understand the value of teamwork and looking out for others.

“Humanity is the biggest thing, helping each other,” Teresa said. “I think it’s different in the city versus growing up in the country — there’s more of a camaraderie.”

The family and farm’s history are documented not only on paper, but the stories passed down through generations, helping today’s generation learn from those who came before them.

David recalls his aunt Hollis’s ability to control horses: “She had a grip, even when she was old, just from holding the reins all of the time,” David said. “When Hollis was working the fields, the reason she said that there was a big tree at the end of the field was because it was there they could take the horses to rest.”

Another of David’s memories: his dad’s homemade barbecue sauce. The recipe wasn’t written down, so each time it would

taste a little different, he said.

Brad recalls a story about Phillips having a very young Stephen help him on the International Harvester tractor out on the field.

“Dad would ride on the back of the disc to add weight when the corn was too thick, so the disc could cut into the ground. He was also tied to the seat of an M when he was little because the tractors that had a hand clutch … were more expensive than the ones [with a foot pedal]. If you couldn’t reach the clutch you tie it to the seat and if you had to stop, he said that you could put it at a higher gear and go uphill and it’ll quit.

“With those kinds of stories, I don’t care if you’re 5 or 10, you’re going to get your work done, and just because you can’t reach the clutch isn’t an excuse.”

Brad and David never got to know great-grandpa Emmerson, but Brad recalls a story told to him about how he was able to control his horses: “They would tell me stories about how he couldn’t get the horses to stand still long enough to get them haltered up,” Brad said, so “he’d come out with his stick and would holler and pound the stick on the wood floor, and all of the horses would stand to attention and they could get the halters on.”

Sports have been a big part of the Chapman’s lives growing up, and even then, farming played a role.

The elder Stephen was a star player for the Ashton Aces high school football team, but turned down a scholarship to play football at the University of Colorado in 1960 to tend to the farm. He would also become Brad and David’s little league baseball coach, and incorporated the farm into keeping them in shape for the game, giving them exercises on the farm, and workouts with rocks, tires and hay bales.

cont’d to page 23

When Brad and David got into football, their time on the farm paid off then, too, giving them an edge over the city kids.

“We had three hours of blood pumping through us by that time,” David said. “When two-a-days started in football in the fall, the only ones not throwing their guts up from all of the running and calisthenics were the farm boys who were active. The town boys would be puking and just beat.”

While the farm’s history is a point of pride and priceless memories for the family, it hasn’t always necessarily been a cause for a celebration. The Chapmans even declined to seek recognition as a state centennial farm in 1975, as the family long held that they weren’t ones for attention.

“We’d all agree that we’re not people who want the notoriety or spotlight,” David said. “We just like to lay low and do our work and make it to the next year. We’re just not attention grabbers. We’re very privileged to have kept it in the family for this long.

Even if they had sought that centennial des-

ignation, they would have been several years late to the party — not they would have wanted to have one. “Papa was more concerned about not jinxing it,” added David.

This year was originally believed to be the farm’s sesquicentennial, with 1875 long thought to be when the farm was established, but a little digging recently revealed there were actually a few more candles on the farm’s birthday cake. During research in late August, the Chapmans discovered that the farm was actually purchased nine years previously, in 1866. The discovery was made due to the property’s tax liens being released much later; it took John five years to pay off the purchase of the property (with 7 percent interest), but no records were officially filed until 1875.

Today, Stephen doesn’t mind a little recognition — the family worked hard for it, after all — so the family has filed paperwork to seek recognition as a sesquicentennial farm, even though, technically, 2025 would mark the farm’s 159th anniversary.

“Papa thought it was bad luck and didn’t want to do it,” he said. “We kind of talked [Grandma] into it. We made it this far, and we’ll sign up for it. Why not?”

For the Chapmans, the legacy of their farm isn’t measured in acres or awards, but in the endurance of a family bound to the land and to one another. Each generation has faced its share of long days and lean years, yet the farm remains — not only as a livelihood, but as a living record of perseverance, humility and quiet pride. n

Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.

cross Illinois, thousands of blue-jacketed students sign up each year for a common purpose: to learn, to serve and to grow.

They’re members of the FFA, a national youth organization that promotes and supports agricultural education. But for many of the high-schoolers and junior high students in FFA, it’s more than that; it’s a place where curiosity about agriculture transforms into confidence, and where leadership takes root in the common rhythm of school, work and community.

Among those who’ve embraced that journey are three teens from northwest Illinois: Natalie Pratt of Amboy, Ethan Bremmer of Pearl City and Paige Sierens of Annawan. All three graduated from high school this summer and were officers for their respective FFA sections.

For Pratt, serving as president has been “the experience of a lifetime,” a chance to learn from every handshake and conversation. Bremmer, the reporter, has turned miles on the road into lessons in humility and communication. Sierens, who is the organization’s first sentinel at the state level (a position created this year), views her role as both an honor and a reflection of FFA’s growth.

The members not only represent the future of farming, but how the organization continues to evolve with its members. Each brings a distinct story and voice to Illinois’ State FFA Officer Team, a group that represents around 43,000 members across nearly 400 local chapters. The trio serves with vice president Koben Tate of Dallas City, secretary Kyle Bradshaw of Pittsfield and treasurer Kaydence Wooton of Weldon. They travel thousands of miles criss-crossing the state each year to meet with students, teachers and industry leaders. They carry a shared mission of strengthening the next generation of agricultural leadership.

From chapter visits in small-town high schools to policy discussions in Washington, D.C., these young leaders are discovering that agriculture is as much about people as it is about production. Their roles are demanding yet deeply rewarding, and they are learning to listen first, lead with empathy and to see leadership not as a way to be in the spotlight, but to shine a light on farming.

Northern Illinois AgMag talked with Pratt, Bremmer and Sierens to learn about their roles in Illinois agriculture and what they do to educate students and promote all things ag. Turn the pages to find out what they had to say ...

— Cody Cutter, Sauk Valley Media

What has the experience of being State FFA President been like for you so far, especially being a “leader of leaders” in a way?

It has been the experience of a lifetime! I feel incredibly blessed to have this opportunity. Every day, I get to work with members who are all bringing such unique and creative perspectives to the agricultural industry and Illinois FFA.

What have been some profound experiences during your travels so far as president?

The state officer team is currently on chapter visits. Visiting chapters has been so fulfilling. Learning what is unique about each section and chapter is so interesting and important to understanding how to best serve our organization through future progress.

For those who are looking to get into leadership at the high school or middle school levels, what’s a good reason to pursue it?

Natalie PRATT

Because why not?! These experiences and opportunities are so valuable to yourselves. Leadership experience will always help you, never hurt you! You never know what one connection, one handshake and one step outside of your comfort zone could do you for. That one reach outside of your usual schedule could be the switch necessary to push yourself to your full potential!

What does it take to be a great leader?

It takes humility. True leadership isn’t about standing above others, but standing beside them. When leaders put others before themselves and admit they don’t have all the answers, they build trust and respect. Think about times where you could have entered spaces with more love in your heart, what small action can you to do to help someone else today? Never become too busy to notice where a smile could change someone’s day!

With your experiences in FFA leadership at the state or regional level, have you applied anything from them to how you work on your farm?

Definitely organization! I have to admit how awful I am at being an organized person, but with my new role this year, organization is so necessary! I’ve noticed myself becoming a more orderly person back on the farm, because of the skills I’ve been learning this year! n

The 2025-26 Illinois FFA officer team poses for a photo at the 97th Illinois FFA State Convention in June. For the first time in the organization’s history, the team featured six members, after delegates voted to add a sentinel officer. Members are, from left: president Natalie Pratt, vice president Koben Tate, reporter Ethan Bremmer, secretary Kyle Bradshaw, treasurer Kaydance Wooton, and sentinel Paige Sierens.

SHAW MEDIA AGRINEWS PHOTO/MARTHA BLUM

RURAL ROOTS. CO-OP

the quality of our members’ lives since 1939.

What have been some profound experiences during your travels so far as reporter?

Traveling across Illinois and even to Washington, D.C. To begin the year, we attended the State Officer Summit in Washington, D.C., which was an incredible opportunity to learn and connect. Soon after, we headed to FFA Camp, where we helped students discover their paths in FFA and as young leaders. Another highlight was working all ten days during the FFA Barnyard at the Illinois State Fair. I’ve loved traveling to Sections 3, 5, 14, 17, and 25 during our chapter visits.

For those who are looking to get into leadership at the high school or middle school levels, what’s a good reason to pursue it?

It is valuable because it builds important skills in young individuals. No matter the organization, leadership plays a vital role in personal growth. It not only helps you become a better person but also strengthens soft skills that may not develop otherwise. Leading fellow students, especially those older than you, can be challenging, yet it teaches responsibility, confidence and communication. These experiences prepare students for future success and help them grow into capable, well rounded leaders.

Your brother Ben is a former state leader, as treasurer. Have you learned anything from his experiences that have helped you in your leadership position?

I had some insight into what I was getting into. I knew a good mix of what the role entailed, but this is still my first time experiencing everything firsthand and seeking out opportunities wherever I can. I also feel I am creating my own path in FFA rather than simply following in his footsteps. This journey allows me to learn, grow, and define my own leadership style while building on the foundation he helped establish.

What does it take to be a great leader?

When I think about what it takes to be a great leader, my first thought is the willingness to put others before yourself. Leadership also requires time, dedication and passion. A true leader is someone you can look up to, whether as a role model or as someone who takes time to help others become their best selves. Being a leader isn’t always easy, but it is incredibly rewarding to see those around you succeed with your guidance and support, knowing you played a part in their growth and achievements.

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With your experiences in FFA leadership at the state or regional level, have you applied anything from them to how you work on your farm?

I have definitely applied my leadership skills from FFA directly to the farm in many ways. Not only have I improved my ability to communicate with others, but I have also gained valuable skills in planning, teamwork and completing tasks efficiently. Communication is especially critical on the farm; one small mistake can cost thousands of dollars. It also plays a key role in professional settings, such as purchasing machinery, seed, fertilizers, and other products. Farming requires many hands working together, and leadership helps me understand how to utilize others’ strengths effectively. Additionally, attention to small tasks and details has improved, allowing me to ensure that everything gets done successfully and efficiently, making the farm run smoother overall. n

How does it feel to have the distinction of being the first State FFA Sentinel?

Immense gratitude. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve as the first sentinel. It’s an incredible honor, not only to hold a new position, but to be part of something bigger than myself, something that reflects the growth and progress of our state association. Over the past decade, FFA in our state has expanded significantly, and the addition of this office shows just how far we’ve come. It’s humbling to know that I get to represent FFA members across the state in this new capacity. I’m proud to represent my school, my community and the future of agriculture, and I carry that pride with me every day in this role.

What have been some profound experiences during your travels so far as sentinel?

The opportunity to travel and connect with members and leaders across the country. A particularly profound experience was attending the State Officer Summit in Washington, D.C. Not only was it incredible to stand in our nation’s capital, but it was even more impactful to meet fellow officers from all over the United States.

Hearing their stories, learning about agriculture in their states and forming bonds with people who share the same passion for leadership and service was unforgettable. These connections continue to grow, and I still keep in touch with many of them. It really shows how FFA brings people together, no matter how far apart we may be geographically. It made the world feel just a little bit smaller and a lot more connected.

For those who are looking to get into leadership at the high school or middle school levels, what’s a good reason to pursue it?

It’s a powerful tool for personal growth. Taking on leadership roles helps develop life skills that you’ll carry into college, your career and your relationships. One of the most important skills is communication, learning how to express yourself clearly, listen actively and collaborate with others. Leadership gives you real experiences in teamwork, responsibility and service. You gain confidence in who you are and what you can do. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself while making a difference in the lives of others.

What does it take to be a great leader?

Great leadership begins with an open mind and a genuine desire to serve others. It’s not about titles or recognition, it’s about helping people in both big and small ways. Whether it’s opening a door, offering encouragement or helping someone practice for an interview, small actions have a big impact. A great leader is someone who consistently looks for ways to lift others up and does so with gratitude and humility.

With your experiences in FFA leadership at the state or region level, have you applied anything from them to how you work on your farm?

Yes, especially from the connections I’ve made. From industry professionals to fellow FFA members, the people I’ve met have taught me so much. Their experiences and insights have helped me see challenges on the farm from different perspectives. Every conversation is a learning opportunity, and that knowledge continues to shape how I work and grow our home operation. n

Learn more about this year’s Illinois FFA leaders from Shaw Media’s Illinois AgriNews story at https:// tinyurl.com/2wpcvw9e Go to ilaged.org for more information on the Illinois FFA.

hen Stephen and Andria Brass decided to make a change on their centennial family farm in 2010, they looked to the past to chart a course toward a better future.

The couple had grown tired of carving up the land and relying on chemicals to do what should come naturally on the farm near Stillman Valley, where they grew corn and soybeans. They weren’t big fans of the factory farming model, where chemicals and machines reshape the soil in ways seen and unseen, depleting it of valuable natural resources. While modern farm practices may be tried and true methods for many farmers, they wanted to try something else: a healthier approach to tending to the soil, something farmers had done for centuries before chemists’ formulas did the work of Mother Nature.

In short: Take care of the land and the land will take care of you.

That’s when they decided to pivot from grain to grass and beef up their farm and switch from crops to cows. Today, nearly 150 head of Red Devon beef cattle graze on nearly 100 acres of rotating grassy pastures at Brass Family Farm, providing an alternative to people who want to steer clear of grain-fed beef.

“I never liked using all of the herbicides, chemicals and fertilizers,” Stephen said.

“With the heavy tillage and the industrial model of growing grain, I never felt like I was improving the ground, and felt like I was doing something that wasn’t natural. I was thinking about health and nutrition, and thinking about what our future children would want to do. Would they want to continue going down the corn and soybean industrial model? I didn’t see a bright future in that, and I thought animal agriculture was a better route to go to improve the land, and we can include our kids in that.”

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After buying four cow-calf pairs from a friend, the Brasses made their big switch during the 100th anniversary of the year Stephen’s great-great grandparents, William John and Lavina Brass, bought the land 3.5 miles north of Stillman Valley in 1910. It took a couple of years for Stephen and Andria to get ramped up to start selling meat, but now they have packages from eighths to wholes, as well as brisket, liver, and soup, rib and marrow bones, sold through their website — all from cattle raised on a diet free from grain, GMOs, hormones, steroids, drugs or antibiotics.

The pastures have about 25 different species of plants, giving the cows a diverse set of natural nutrients. Whatever they don’t get from the grass, they get from a cafeterialike mineral bar, which has 16 different minerals served separately. Cows are conscious about what minerals they need, Stephen said.

Comparing this system to a single block with multiple minerals, Stephen says: “The problem is that, if a cow is deficient in potassium, she’ll keep licking that block until she gets enough potassium,” Stephen said, but “when she gets her potassium, she probably has too much sulfur, so she can’t regulate what she needs. By having all of the minerals individualized, she can go there and tell herself, ‘I need some copper today,’ and take licks and then go to something else.”

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The Brass Family raises grassfed beef on its centennial farm north of Stillman Valley. Pictured are (front row, from left) Wyatt Brass, Rhett Brass and Andria Brass; and (back row) Adalee Brass and Stephen Brass.

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One way that grass-fed beef is healthier, Stephen said, is the higher presence of anti-inflammatory Omega 3 fats (“good fats”) in the cattle, which research has linked to better heart and brain health; where the grain-fed method can result in higher, more inflammatory, Omega 6 and 9 fats.

The chemical-free practices also pertain to the scratchers cattle use to keep flies away; instead of using insecticide, the Brasses use essential oils such as lavender, cedarwood and citronella to ward off the pesky pests.

“Whatever you’re putting on the animal eventually gets absorbed into the meat,” Stephen said. “People who are seeking me out are concerned about how their food is raised and what’s going into it. They’re looking for a nutrient-dense, high quality product that’s raised with no grain. In my opinion, it has a richer, more complex, robust flavor, and a cleaner, healthier product.”

The differences between grass-fed and grain-fed beef are a matter of health not only for humans, but cows, and the Brasses enjoy educating visitors on their farming methods. They have an annual Pasture Walk in the fall where they share how their herd is moved, fed and kept healthy. This year’s event was Oct. 18.

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Brass roots ...

The Brass farm has been part of the family since William John and Lavina Brass bought the land near Stillman Valley in 1910. From left: William John Brass; John William Brass (secondgeneration); Richard William Brass (third generation, seen with John Brass); and Richard’s son and fourth-generation farmer, Stephen (seen with his son Wyatt and uncle Robert).

The Pasture Walk meat-and-great began three years ago when customers became more curious about their farming practices. Instead of juggling myriad private tours and interruptions to their work routine, the Brasses set aside one date to open to the public.

“They want to see where their beef is coming from and how it’s raised, and without them coming here there’s a disconnect in their mind,” Stephen said. “They’re curious, and they want to see more of the behind-the-scenes.”

When William John Brass started his farm in 1910, it included

beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs, alfalfa, oats and corn. Walnut trees were native to the property, and when Stephen started the beef selling business, he named it Walnut Grove Farm – a name that he’s phasing out for the more personal Brass Family Farm name (the signs outside the farm still have the Walnut Grove name).

When John and Richard operated the farm, it scaled back to just grain and hogs, and eventually just grain after Richard suffered a severe spinal injury in 1990 that left him paraplegic, and his uncle Morris Anderson, who farmed with Richard, suffered a stroke around the same time.

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His father’s injury thrust Stephen into playing an adult-sized role in the

operation when he was just 10, helping his father in areas where his disability prevented him from working. The injury didn’t stop Richard completely though: He made modifications to his equipment and assembled lifts and special controls to help him keep the farm going.

Richard’s perseverance left a lasting impression on his son, with faith and technical aptitude keeping him going for another 25 years before his death.

“He had his farming accident when he was my age, 45, and being in a wheelchair and paraplegic from the waist down, and having a young family at the same time, not many words would describe how difficult that would be.” Stephen said “For him to persevere and continue to do what he loved, and to make it through the best he could by overcoming the daily struggle — his perseverance is one thing that sticks with me to this day.”

Though Andria’s a full-fledged farm girl these days, her roots in agriculture didn’t run as deep as her husband’s. She lived a city life before marrying Stephen, and her connections to agriculture growing up came from visiting a great-uncle who owned a dairy farm in southeast Wisconsin. She also saw firsthand the importance of healthy soil at her father’s flower shop in Loves Park.

“I grew up around plants, and that’s our green thumb connection,” Andria said. “I love growing perennials and vegetables. We keep a garden, and someday I’ll have a bigger one.”

Stephen and Andria’s three children — daughter Adalee and sons Rhett and Wyatt — help their parents on the farm, moving posts and fences and dragging the mineral feeders and scratchers. The couple has even brought a half-dozen hogs back to the farm, and the kids are taking care of them.

For the Brasses, transparency isn’t just a marketing word, it’s the heart of how they farm. They believe people should know their food and the farmers who raise it: how the herd is treated, what minerals they’re given, and whether they take shortcuts or use chemicals.

By being more open, Stephen and Andria see themselves not only as caretakers of the land, but as guides helping people reconnect to the food and the farmers behind their meals.

“Part of our goal is to educate people on why we do what we do and how we do what we do,” Stephen said. “My average customer is an educated customer who’s done their own research as to how beef is raised from the feedlot model to the organic, grass-fed model. Transparency builds trust and I try to educate people on why they should buy grass-fed versus grain fed. That transparency helps them and helps make the best choice for them.” n Shaw Media reporter Cody Cutter can be reached at 815-632-2532 or ccutter@shawmedia.com.