Central Illinois
Local Foods Spotlight
tyson Farms O
ver the past few years, Tyson Farms of Chestnut, Illinois has grown to be a successful local beef operation. The Tyson family saw raising cattle as an opportunity to educate themselves and others on where their food comes from, but did not expect it to turn into the growing business and rewarding lifestyle that it has become.
following his passions.
One of his unexpected passions started a few years ago and has taken off. In 2014, the Tysons bought their first farm and moved to the country. Shortly after, Shaun’s wife, Kim, had the idea of getting a cow to raise, out of curiosity of where their meat comes from. Shaun was immediately on board with the idea and thought it Shaun Tyson grew up with no direct ag background, but would be an excellent opportunity to teach his children, always lived in the country and was exposed to farming Cullen and Piper, the responsibility and work ethic that around the area. It wasn’t until his friends suggested comes along with raising livestock. that he joined FFA in high school that he was fully introduced to agriculture and the opportunities within In 2015 they bought and raised their first cow with the the industry. help of Shaun’s friend and local beef producer, Aaron Wilham, and ended up selling the beef to friends in the He initially went to school to become a history and PE area. The next year, the Tysons expanded to raise three teacher and began living and working on a horse farm head and have since doubled their herd every year after as well as a cattle farm throughout college. He ultimately that. In 2020, they raised 30 head and plan to raise 60 in decided to change his major to agribusiness at Lincoln 2021 to meet their growing demand for local beef. Land Community College. With the help of their neighbors and friends in the Since then, Shaun has had various jobs around central industry, the Tyson family has taken pride in learning llinois in agriculture sales and owns his own agronomy how to produce the high-quality beef that their consulting business. However, he acknowledges that customers seek out. They market their cattle at 14 to 18 he probably would not be where he is today if it wasn’t months of age and get their meat processed at Magros, for his friend and mentor, Larry Huelskoetter. Larry a USDA facility in Springfield, Illinois. All of their beef was very influential in Shaun’s life and always believed stays within the state and is sold direct to consumer. in him when he was starting out in the industry and Their meat is also Beef Quality Assurance certified,
35 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
