Good, Fresh, Local Featured Producer:
North Star Neighbors

Farm Name: North Star Neighbors

Location: Farm nine miles west of Fullerton, Nebraska

Owners' Names/Family role in farm:
Whitey and Shirley Johnson raise and process chickens, Tom and Gail Knopik and children Lane, Jennifer, Ellie, Kyle and Lexy, raise cattle, hogs and chickens, Jim and Carolyn Knopik raise cattle and turkeys, Curt Baldwin raises lambs and Mariah and Issac Van Leer raise duck eggs. Ron and Brenda Knopik are still active in this co-op too.

Products raised: cattle, hogs, sheep, chickens, turkeys and eggs

Philosophy: Is to live and farm sustainably. To do that we have to learn to live and work with nature. We are trying to incorporate a holistic approach to all that we do.

North Star Neighbors Standards

• We do not use any antibiotics of any kind in animals sold through North Star Neighbors.
• We do not use any artificial growth stimulants.
• Animals are not confined and are allowed access to grass as much as possible.
• We do not feed any GMO planted crops.
• We do not feed any animal by-products.

Where products are sold:
Once a month I send out reminders noting when I will be delivering to the Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island areas and surrounding towns and rural areas. Customers primarily email but also call their orders to us. We also sell through the Nebraska Food Coop as this allows us to service a larger portion of the state through their growing distribution system.

Why did you start farming? 
I think like anything it gets in your blood. Although I am allergic to many things on the farm including cattle, there is nothing that compares to seeing new life whether it be a new calf, baby chickens, sprouting seeds or the smiles and excitement in the eyes of young children when they are introduced to all of this.

What is your favorite part of farming?
The smell of new rain, walking through fresh green knee high grass, mob grazing and witnessing the different attitudes and personalities of all animals, when I have time.

How did you learn about UNL's Good Fresh Local program?
I learned about the UNL's GFL program from the first meeting that Pam Edwards and Ellen Hardy and a few others had put together. They have been very patient and helpful. I know it's been a challenge for everyone involved to make this happen and I am very grateful that they have hung in there for their local farmers.