Good, Fresh, Local Featured Producer: Bluestem Farms

Farm Name: Bluestem Farms (information provided by the Timperleys)

Location: Northeast Nebraska, near Madison NE

Owners' Names/Family role in farm: The owners are Kim and Kathy Timperley, members of the third generation of the Timperley family who has owned and operated the farm for 101 years.

Primary Products Grown: Vegetables

 Purpose/Philosophy: Our philosophy is to be the best stewards of the land as possible. Healthy lives can only grow with healthy food, which only is harvested from nourished soils.

Farming Methods : The farm is not certified organic or biodynamic, but we follow their standards, creating healthy soil to sustain healthy habitats for humans, livestock, and wildlife.

Markets:  We sell our products to groceries, restaurants, and institutions.

 Why did you start farming?  Both Kim and Kathy Timperley  grew up on farms and never really left.  Kim and Kathy teach during the school year and summers are spent gardening and helping family members on their farms. In 2000 we were able to buy the Timperley family farm which we named Bluestem Farms because of the abundant bluestem grasses that grow there.

What is your favorite part of farming? Harvesting, although sometimes time consuming, is our favorite part of farming, since it is the proof of all the hard work and planning.

What is the most challenging part of farming? There are many challenges in farming. Depending on the year, crops may be attacks by insects or disease, or they may suffer the whims of weather.  Farmers never know what adversities will present themselves. Perhaps that is the greatest challenge. Farming is always different every year.

How did you learn about UNL's Good Fresh Local program? We were approached by UNL's Good Fresh Local program directors.  We were delighted to participate. As teachers, we are always eager to share the lessons of good healthy food grown locally.