Welcome to Willow Lea Stock Farm! I’m Michele Aavang, a farmer living in McHenry County, Illinois. Born in California and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, I “married into agriculture” in the 1980’s. I’m the mother of one son, who’s returned to the farm and built his own dairy herd after getting a degree from UW-Platteville. I’ve created this blog to give non-farm readers a glimpse into our lives on the farm, and to help get the truth about modern agriculture out there. We raise corn, soybeans, wheat, oats, and hay here on our farm, which has been in my husband’s family since the 1840’s. We also have a herd of crossbred beef cattle. I sold our beef at local farmers markets for 11 years.
How does your son like UW-Platteville? Also would like to read some posts on selling beef at farmers markets. We have considered this. Mostly we sell by word of mouth of our regulars.
Hi Michele,
My husband & I were raised on farms in central Illinois & are retired now. We are interested in how you raise your cows. Also, do you sell your beef direct to consumers besides the farmers market?
Thanks,
Beth LaMie
Beth@bethlamie.com
Hi Beth,
Thanks for your comment. I’ll reply via email.