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.