Dean and Becky Adams sell the best turkeys in Clinton.
           “We had several people say that these are the best turkeys they ever had,” says Dean, “but people don’t ask what breed they are.” Their customers know they are getting humanely and naturally raised turkeys while supporting a family farm, but they don’t know they are helping keep an endangered breed alive.
            These turkeys are Midget Whites, and according to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, a non-profit working to conserve historic breeds and genetic diversity in livestock, there are fewer than 500 of these turkeys left. Would there be more interest if consumers knew they were helping to preserve the genetic diversity of our food supply? Probably, but we don’t know.
            “You can’t put the breed of your animal on the label without USDA permission,” says Becky, “which is so much paperwork that most people don’t bother.” So their customers won’t know that breed is one of the reasons why these turkeys are so different than those in a supermarket. And could supermarket turkeys ever sit in a tree?
            At the same time Dean and Becky are producing a quality product, they are keeping rare breeds alive. This goes for their chickens, hogs, and cattle as well.
            Their Highland Cattle are pasture-fed, with a supplemental winter feed. According to Dean the biggest problem raising pasture-fed cattle is finding hay, and it’s a reason they don’t get organically certified.
            “There is not enough organic feed – organic feed is now being brought over from China and we do not want to buy from China” Becky says. Not only do they not trust the quality and question whether it’s really organic, they do not consider it environmentally sound to ship animal feed across the world.
            “What I’m trying to do is raise a quality product that people can afford to buy.” Dean says. “For us it’s not feasible to be certified organic.”
            So where is the only place to buy their quality product? Their own store.
            Illinois Harvest, selling only Illinois-made products, features groceries, wines, meats and more, is on the North side of the square in Clinton. Their hours are Tue-Fri 10-6 and Sat 10-4, and their address is 702 North Side Square, Clinton, 61727.
            Right now their 12-acre farm produces enough meat and eggs to keep the store stocked, and taking a stroll through the store is to travel through the state to see what is produced right here in Illinois: from wines to spices to homemade pasta to candy. The green apple soda is not to be missed.
            Back on the farm, Dean and Becky face the same problems that many mid-sized farmers face in Illinois: lack of infrastructure. For instance, Dean has to build all the nest boxes for his 125 chickens by hand. While there is equipment for large chicken operators and equipment for people with just a few chickens, there isn’t any for the mid-sized farmer.
            Another example is the lack of slaughtering facilities. With more and more slaughtering facilities closing across the state that serve independent farmers, farmers have to go farther and farther to get their animals processed. While the animals raised on the farm are sold at the store just a couple miles away, the animals have to be driven over 100 miles roundtrip to the nearest facility that can process them.
            Also on Dean and Becky’s farm, tucked away with all of the other animals, are two ducks. But they won’t end up in the store, since there is nowhere in the entire state that processes ducks. Dean and Becky can butcher the ducks themselves, but can’t legally sell them – you’ll have to get invited to dinner!