WELCOME TO
SPENCE FARM
DOWN TO EARTH SYSTEMS
Join us for a two-day intensive learning experience.
MY FARMER, MY CUSTOMER
A new book by farmer Marty Travis.
THE HISTORY
In 1830, our fourth great-grandfather Valentine Darnall came to Illinois from Kentucky. He bought 160 acres from the government for $1.25 an acre. By the late 1800’s, his grandson Malachi Martin Spence was in charge of the farm business and the land comprised nearly 1,000 acres. There were 36 buildings on the property including barns, sheds, milk houses, chicken houses, and tenant houses.
ABOUT THE FARM
Spence Farm is a bustling center of activity with a wide array of heirloom and native crops, heritage animals, and a huge diversity of agricultural opportunities on the 160 acres. Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy learning about small scale family farming in the Midwest. The farm lends an educational backdrop for agricultural history from 1830 to today. It is a working small family farm managed by the seventh and eighth generations – Marty and Will Travis.
“These people are not just farmers, but they’re visionaries.” – Chef Rick Bayless
CONSULTING
Marty and Will Travis work with communities all over the world in building: local food systems, aggregation and distribution models and chef/farmer relationships. They are currently working with farmers throughout the Midwest to increase the amount of high – quality local food made available to communities.
IN THE MEDIA
The farm lends an educational backdrop for agricultural history from 1830 to today.
DOWN AT THE FARMS
Down at the Farms, LLC is a farmer to farmer marketing and delivery service based outside of Fairbury, IL. We represent over 60 of the finest farms in Central Illinois to chefs, grocers, individuals and institutions. Farms retain their identity and are able to showcase their unique products to a large audience. We operate as a “food hub”, but are so much more as we work with nice people to create community and cooperation between farmers in the area. Our growers produce a wide variety of product using chemical free or certified organic practices, pastured livestock and non GMO seed. Our weekly deliveries to Chicago and downstate restaurants have helped to put Central Illinois farms on the map. Our goal is to continue to offer these opportunities for small and beginning farmers and to reach an ever wider audience.
CONTACT
Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy learning about small scale family farming of the Midwest. We invite you to come for a visit, encourage you to support local small farmers in your area, and hope you will have a chance to taste some of our delicious products!
Fairbury, IL 61739