Call Dan and Kris Paape the inadvertent farmers : They purchased the Wisconsin land that would eventually become BeefnBeaks Farm in 1989 with the goal of raise their family in the country , and they rented the land out to a conventional granger . They had their sights on a smaller plot , but it decrease through at the last minute , which make them to settle down on the ploughland choice .
But in 2008 , the pair watchedFood Inc. , the seminal agricultural documentary that prove how a highly motorized smattering of corporations run most of the nation ’s food industry , and everything changed .
“ We realized we were part of the job , not part of the solution , and this made us do an immediate about - face , ” Kris Paape says . “ We slowly lead off buying sure-enough farm equipment and began implementing more sustainable land practices . ”
The couple has always kept repose biddy , but after buying several Hereford cow / calf pair , BeefnBeaks Farm was truly hold . Dan fenced paddock for the cattle and also built eggmobiles for the laying hens . They had been raise little batches of substance birds for themselves , but they started offer broiler to the public , as well . Dan and Kris Paape
“ We mat up that other people might like to eat chicken raised the way it should be : on pasture and in cheerfulness , ” Kris suppose .
The Paapes now drive to continue broadening the farm ’s offer , including educational workshops , farm dinners and plant walks .
Dan and Kris Paape
“ We are hope to add up a winter volaille condo and a pig forest to the farm , too , ” Kris says .
The condo will be an addition to the cow barn , which will make cleanup much easy in the winter month , and the pigs will help make clean up a patch of forest in motive of some attention .
“ Our current moo-cow barn with a skimpy - to family our cows in the winter and serve up as a riddle - in porch in the summer for our broilers , ” Kris says . “ NPR plays on the receiving set 24/7 and avail keep the predators off . ”Dan and Kris Paape
James Leonard Farmer : Dan and Kris PaapeLocation : Waterloo , WisconsinSpecialties : Grassfed kine , pastured poultry
Biggest Success : We love educate people about the mode we grow and giving tours about the innovative style Dan has project our farm , from our gravity - fed watering system for the paddocks and the walk - in freezer to his New invention , the “ Frankenbein , ” a haybine - turned - planter that allows us to no - till seed a cover crop to help to heal the soil . I ’m also a instructor and love to give farm camps for kids where they learn about the garden and the creature , and get the fortune to aid cook farm - to - mesa meal , include pizzas , apple PIE , muddle and nut salad . The medium kid today is three generation by from the farm , so our goal is to bring them back to farming and nature : We call our campers sprouting chefs .
Biggest Challenge : consume the wherewithal to keep last and not give up . It ’s not leisurely , but having all of this activity sure enough keeps you young and active .
Dan and Kris Paape
Firsthand Advice : Take advantage of the singular characteristics of your farm . Ask for help when you need it . Be creative , and use social media . Expect to wreak hard , and if you ’re truly attached to your belief and goals , you could do it . Being a producer of healthy food has many rewards .
— Kris Paape , as told to Cory Hershberger
