Chism Heritage Farm searches for better ways to steward our resources and to enable our readers to capitalize on our experiences.
Join us as we chronicle our efforts to retain a portion of the farm that has been in my family since the 1840′s. Not only do we want to hold on to the land, which we could do with city jobs, we want to enhance the land. Pasture renovation takes time, hooves, claws, snouts, beaks, teeth and time. It also takes worms, manure, insects, mice, voles, coyotes, rabbits, hedge trees, piles of dead hedge trees, sawdust, acorns and more time. It’s the coordination, planning and unexpected nature of …erm…nature… that keep us hopping. We are not a part of the government’s Organic Certification program. We are not GMO-Free…yet. We do our very best to bring a high-quality, healthy product to market with local resources.
Currently we sell eggs, chickens, turkeys and hogs but these are just tools. They are not an end, they are a means. Though we love to hear from satisfied customers we must remember the real goal is not financial. I want to make sure the next owners take possession of more fertile land than I bought but the increased fertility is a result of good management, not a purpose. I treasure my marriage, my children, my dog, my job. I enjoy reading and working. I like food. A lot. But these things, on their own, are not satisfying. There must be more.
Why do I call myself a steward? Because I don’t really own it. I’m just in charge of it for a while (See 1 Chronicles 29:11-12). The real goal is to glorify God.
Chris Jordan
Head Farm Steward
Chism Heritage Farm
Chesterfield, IL
I love how you look at being the steward of your family farm. You are taking care of it just as the generations before you did. What a wonderful thing to be able to carry on. The land and life will go on, even after we are gone. ~Franny
It was really great meeting you here at Life Skills/TouchPoint, Chris. What a breath of fresh air you bring with you. Please let me know the next time you are bringing an order. I would like eggs, chicken, bacon, ham-whatever you have at the time to bring.
Best Regards
Laura Emerson-TouchPoint Autism Svcs/Life Skills
Hey Chris & Julie–I just love reading this! My dad (Jack Chism) sent it to me and I am hooked. It is delightful reading but especially meaningful b/c that farm is so special! Thanks for your stewardship. ~~your cousin Liz
Come visit us. Buy a chicken…lol.
We r in Texas now. But we r heading to Illinois tmro. I wd luv for my kids to see what u r doing! Can we psbly come see u next week? We may go up to carlinville on Monday. Wd luv to come out if u happen to be available
Any time is fine. Give us a call.
We just watched yr video and really enjoyed it! Like the stuff about “one day you’ll wake up and be old. ” I’ll let u know if we get to come up monday.
My kids wd luv to see something not in the suburbs:-)