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Local Foods: Tyson Farms
Central Illinois Local Foods Spotlight
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tyson Farms
Over 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.
Shaun Tyson grew up with no direct ag background, but always lived in the country and was exposed to farming around the area. It wasn’t until his friends suggested that he joined FFA in high school that he was fully introduced to agriculture and the opportunities within the industry.
He initially went to school to become a history and PE teacher and began living and working on a horse farm as well as a cattle farm throughout college. He ultimately decided to change his major to agribusiness at Lincoln Land Community College.
Since then, Shaun has had various jobs around central llinois in agriculture sales and owns his own agronomy consulting business. However, he acknowledges that he probably would not be where he is today if it wasn’t for his friend and mentor, Larry Huelskoetter. Larry was very influential in Shaun’s life and always believed in him when he was starting out in the industry and 35 · Central Illinois Ag · www.centralilag.com
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 would be an excellent opportunity to teach his children, Cullen and Piper, the responsibility and work ethic that comes along with raising livestock.
In 2015 they bought and raised their first cow with the help of Shaun’s friend and local beef producer, Aaron Wilham, and ended up selling the beef to friends in the area. The next year, the Tysons expanded to raise three head and have since doubled their herd every year after that. In 2020, they raised 30 head and plan to raise 60 in 2021 to meet their growing demand for local beef.
With the help of their neighbors and friends in the industry, the Tyson family has taken pride in learning how to produce the high-quality beef that their customers seek out. They market their cattle at 14 to 18 months of age and get their meat processed at Magros, a USDA facility in Springfield, Illinois. All of their beef stays within the state and is sold direct to consumer. Their meat is also Beef Quality Assurance certified,
In a time where customers are asking more questions about the products they purchase, it is important to Shaun to be open and transparent with his customers. “It helps if all of us producers could have one voice in how we approach the market,” says Shaun. “We need to have these conversations and be better educators to help bridge the gap between producers and consumers.”
Shaun says that when consumers have a greater understanding of what goes into raising the quality of beef that they want, it is easier to justify the price compared to cheaper fast food or lower grade meat found in the store. Being willing to have conversations about feeding practices, antibiotic use, treatment of livestock, and more helps to build consumers’ confidence and also creates relationships between Shaun and his customers, which mean a lot to him.
Consumer confidence in local foods was a major topic that was put to the test in 2020, considering the processing issues that came as a result of COVID-19. Earlier last year, Shaun had only planned on raising 15 to 20 head, but once COVID-19 hit mid-March, phone calls began coming in about purchasing his beef. With the increase in demand that he only expected to rise, they increased their herd to 30 head.
In no time, they had sold all their meat and were booked out until March 2021, and even had appointments already set into 2022. They have been amazed at how much the pandemic has impacted the demand for their products but are grateful for the awareness that COVID-19 has brought towards local producers.
Being able to work in local foods and build stronger Cullen, Shaun, Kim, and Piper Tyson
relationships within their community because of it has been a blessing to the Tyson family. “Being part of a farming community is extremely rewarding,” says Shaun. “Being able to count on your neighbor is one of the best things about this. All the people I have met in the industry have helped me along the way.”
This lifestyle that they have taken on has also been rewarding for their kids, Cullen and Piper. Shaun knew after working in the agriculture industry for so long, that he wanted his children to grow up around farming and learn the work ethic and responsibility that comes with it. “There are a lot of experiences and opportunities on a farm that other kids never get exposed to,” says Shaun. “The kids are an integral part of this; I wanted to be able to teach them how to own and operate a business like this.”
The Tysons are grateful to have had the opportunity to become first-generation producers and hope to keep the farm in the family to provide for their customers for years to come.
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The Meaning of a Family Farm
“Working on a family farm means everything to me; I would not be farming if it wasn’t with my family. We face challenges each day between the weather and grain prices, but being with family makes it all worth it. I cannot imagine doing anything else.” - Linda Garlisch
“Being a part of a family farm means working together towards the goal of success, that will become the goal of the next generation. Success is not simply financial success, but success is a measurement of how we share our family’s joys and burdens with one another.” - Randy Fornoff
“It’s tradition. My Grandpa farmed from the 1930s to 1970s and then my dad started from scratch and began farming on his own as well. It gives me a sense of pride being able to live on and continue what my dad started and worked his whole life for.” - Robert Lowers
“I never thought my son, Corey, and I would farm together, so I am grateful that today we are able to work so well together and that he is going to take over the farm someday and keep it going for the next generation.” - Gene Hassebrock “My great-great Grandfather came here from Ireland and started farming in 1850. They were brave to come here and live off the land which must have been tough coming from another country, so I appreciate what they did for my sons, grandsons, and I to be able to farm today. My neighbors who farm that I’ve known my whole life are also like family. We’ve got a great farming community around here that have become some of my best friends.” – Tim Folkes
“I saw this farm as an opportune moment to let my children enjoy what I did as a kid growing up in the country. I saw how my customers in the industry were raising their kids with such great work ethic, and I wanted that for mine. There are a lot of experiences and opportunities on a farm that other kids never get exposed to.” - Shaun Tyson
“A family farm is much more than just the family business. It is the connection we feel with the land and our people who came before us”. - Connie and Tom Hieronymus
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