Karen Bohnert & The Bohnert Family
About Me: Hi, I’m Karen Bohnert of Bohnert Jerseys located in the Illinois Quad Cities area. I am a mom, dairy farmer’s wife and dairy enthusiast—through and through. My pride and passion for each of these roles could fill a barn!
My life has taken its turn east since growing up on my family’s 100-cow dairy farm in central Oregon and graduating from Oregon State University in 1998 with a B.S. in agricultural economics and a minor in writing.
After launching my career nearly 20 years ago, giving me great opportunities to communicate the voice of dairy farmers from coast to coast, while working with various organizations such as the American Jersey Cattle Association, Cooperative Resources International and Swiss Valley Farms—I am now where I dreamed I’d be.
That dream place is being a stay-at-home mother to two to three children, and wife to the hardest working dairy farm man I know.
My husband Scott is a first generation dairy farmer—who has reached much success and recognition at a young age from his awesome cow care, elite genetics and excellent milk quality and production. He, with his parents and brother, owns and operates a 500-cow Registered Jersey dairy farm and farms 1,300 acres. My husband’s devotion to his family, cattle and land made me realize that he was my soul mate for life and the man I wanted to raise a family with on a farm.
Our lives are busy chasing kids, milking cows and taking great pride in our farm—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We are simply living our dream.
My farm: Bohnert Jerseys, East Moline, Illinois
My role: Along with my husband, Scott, and his brother and parents, I own and operate a 500 Registered Jersey cow dairy and grow 1,300 acres of corn, soybeans, rye and wheat. I handle farm budgeting, communications and genomic marketing for the farm. In addition, I'm a mother to three children: Tyler, 13; Cassie, 11; and Jacob, 7. In addition, I work with dairy organizations as a freelance writer and communicator.
My hobbies: Showing cattle, traveling, and writing
Ask me about: how safe our food is, how we care for our livestock, how nutritious dairy is, food prices, sustainability, etc. (pretty much comfortable with most topics. Probably least comfortable with non-GMO).
Rod, Julie & Rylee Derrer of Derrer Farms
About us: Derrer Farms was established in 1994, when a city girl from Rock Island married a farm boy/draft horse guy from Mt Carroll, IL and they moved to their own 80 acre farm south of Milan. In 1997,our daughter Rylee was born and the livestock legacy would continue! We have since acquired more farm ground and more livestock but it’s now cattle instead of draft horses. We spend our time mainly in the show barns getting ready for the next show or the next cattle sale. We farm approx. 300 acres of corn, soybeans, and hay ground and run approx.. 250 head of cattle and a herd of barn cats! Rylee attends Iowa State University where she is pursuing a degree in Animal Science with a minor in Journalism and Mass Communications. We love our lifestyle and, at the end of the day, would not trade it for anything! It brings us closer as a family doing what we love-together.
Our Farm: Predominantly a cattle based farm with a small row crop (corn and soybean) operation.
Our work: Rod: Husband, father, farmer, cattle enthusiast; Julie: Wife, mother, part-time chaos coordinator of the farm; Rylee: daughter, student studying agriculture.
Our hobbies: Rod’s only hobby is cattle- He lives and breathes livestock. Julie, on the other hand, has many including traveling and shopping! She is also am a 4H leader, Kiwanis vice president and loves to volunteer. Rylee, like her father, loves cattle and livestock in general; however, she also loves shopping, traveling, photography, and writing.
Ask us about: Animal Nutrition and Welfare, Family Farm vs Corporate Farm, Animal Agriculture, Food safety
Joe & Jolee Franks of JL Farms
About us: My story is a bit ironic in that I have a real passion for agriculture, but I didn’t grow up on a farm. I did grow up in the country and was surrounded by row crops and livestock. That is where a developed a passion for farming and agriculture. My neighbor raised corn, soybean, alfalfa, along with a cow/calf operation. I started riding around in tractors, combines, and other equipment with my neighbor’s at a very young age. I ended up working for him later on in high school and early college. With a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science I started my career with FS in 2004 and have been with that company in various positions since then. I met my wife Jolee in 2006 and we were married in 2011. She grew up on a dairy farm where her family milks a Jersey cow herd consisting of around 150 cows. Today she works for a local insurance company and she specializes in the Crop Insurance piece of the business, along with raising our kids and helping on our farm. Our daughter Lylah was born in November 2013, and 6 months later we moved to our farm in June of 2014. Our son Landry was born in July. Both of our kids are absolute blessings to us, and we hope that they develop a passion for agriculture that my wife and I have.
Our Farm: I am Joe Franks, our farm, JL Farms, is a 1st generation family farm where my wife Jolee, kids (Lylah & Landry), and I raise and care for our commercial sheep flock. We focus on raising market lambs not only for food consumption, but for youth showstock as well. In the future we plan to expand into raising a purebred Dorset sheep herd to help diversify the type of sheep we raise.
Our work: I don’t necessarily consider being a husband and father work, but it is my focus first and foremost. Without my family, none of what I do is possible. My main career is working as a Field Sales Agronomist for the FS / GROWMARK system’s Seed Division. I assist our FS System Crop Specialist’s and farmer’s in striving to maximize yields in row crop production today to help feed, clothe, and fuel a growing world population. With technological advancements being made on a daily basis in crop production, it allows me to focus on good stewardship practices that drive maximizing yields and help provide a more safe and abundant food source with farmer’s here in Western Illinois.
Our hobbies: Although my career and the farm keep me busy, my most passionate hobby is spending time with my family, and the farm really allows me to do that. Having a wife and kids that enjoy what we are doing is very rewarding and will allow the farm to grow and succeed in the future. Other hobbies include, golfing, bowling, grilling, and just being outdoors.
Ask us about: My focus at the Grow to Gather dinner will be conversation around Biotechnology / GMO’s, stewardship and conservation, with regards to row crop production.
Ian & Haley MacDonald
About Me: My name is Ian MacDonald grew up in Hamlet Illinois (10 miles north of Aledo), where both my mom and dads sides have farmed for multiple generations. I grew up on a hog, corn, and soybean farm which I have been heavily involved in since a young age. I attended Iowa State University, where in December of 2013, I received my degree in Agronomy. I then moved home and started working for Gold Star FS, got married, and put up my first hog barn in 2016.
Our Farm: My farm mainly focuses on pigs, corn, and soybeans.
My Work: Farmer, Agronomist, Husband
My Hobbies: Skiing/Snowboarding, hiking, crossfit, home updates/projects
Ask Me About: biotechnology/GMOs; animal nutrition and welfare; food safety, family farms vs. corporate farms; local and organic foods; animal agriculture; food prices; sustainability and conservation
Nathan & Amy Oak
About Me: Hi my name is Nathan Oak. I am married to my wife Amy and I am a fifth generation farmer. On our farm we raise hogs, cattle, corn, and soybeans. The by products of the hog and cattle production is used on our crops as natural fertilizers saving us money and also increasing yields. Besides farming I also serve on Rock Island county soil and water district and am a trustee at church.
Our Farm: I focus on hogs, using direct marketing and contract finishing and I also help my dad with cattle corn and soybeans.
My Work: I am a farmer, a husband, I serve on the Rock Island county soil and water district board of directors, and also am a trustee at my church.
My Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family.
Ask Me About: animal agriculture, family farms vs Corp. Farms, sustainability and conservation.
Ethan Coyne
About Us: The Coyne Family Farm was established in 1954 about five miles south of Milan, Illinois. My name is Ethan Coyne and I was born and raised third generation on this farm alongside my father, Jim Coyne. I attended Black Hawk College, East Campus after graduating from Sherrard High School, receiving an Associate of Science Degree in Ag Production while also collecting a certificate in Beef Production. I now live back at home on the family farm increasing my herd of cattle while expanding the row crop operation.
Our Farm: Mainly focusing on row crop corn and soybeans, along with commercial beef production.
My Work: Farmer, work part time for my township, and serve on the Rock Island County Fair Board.
Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy hunting, fishing, riding four wheelers with friends, and spending time with my family.
Ask Me About: Animal Nutrition and Welfare, Family Farm vs. Corporation Farm, Row Crop Production