Dearing Country Farms

16410 N 800 E
 Bloomington , IL 61704
(309) 963-4932
farms@dearingdesigns.com

LOCAL, FARM FRESH & Grown following USDA ORGANIC Standards

FRUIT, VEGETABLES, EGGS, NUTS & BERRIES

Dearing Country Farms has organically raised baby chicks.  No antibiotics, vaccinations, steroids, or growth hormones have been given to them, only kindness, care and certified organic grains. They are now free-range, pastured on organic alfalfa, are cage free and kept from predators each night in their hen house.  They are let out each morning at sun up and have access to fresh greens, fresh air and plenty of sunshine.  We ensure our crops are free of synthetic herbicides, pesticides or any chemicals what so ever.  We use cover crops and employ earth friendly farming practices and harvesting methods.  Additionally, we follow all USDA Organic Program guidelines, and are members of Certified Naturally Grown.

Our eggs are as fresh as you can get, some less than 24 hours.

Why buy local organic?

High standards, you know where they came from!

It's healthier !

Taste is incredible!

No nasty additives or preservatives!

No hidden costs, you are supporting local economy and small farm operations!

No synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers are used!

Better, more humane care for animals!

Good for wildlife and the environment!

Reliance on drugs removed (no vaccinations or antibiotics)!

Not genetically modified (steroids, growth hormones, cloning, etc.)!

How did we get started?

First you need to know that it has always been a dream of Brad's to purchase some land to design and build his home.  Jackie always told him if you find some land on the west side of Bloomington, close to town, we could look into it.  Years went by and nothing ever came on to the market that would work.  Then one Sunday morning while reading the paper we saw it!  30 acres just 3 miles west of Bloomington.  We immediately called on it, went to look at it and made an offer, all in about an hour.  From there, we started designing our home and the building process,  Brad has a degree in Technology Education (emphasis in construction management) and teaches at a local high school (some design and architecture courses) so we did all the work ourselves.  (That means hammering every nail, not just picking out colors with a builder!) Dream one and two come true; now, how to pay for all this?  At the time we were DINKS, what's a "dink" (Double Income No Kids), so we managed alright.  Then Jackie became pregnant.  With twin boys!  Late in 2004, out of the blue, Jackie incurred pre-term labor and we lost them.  We realized how precious life is and how a person cannot afford to waste their lives away in the hustle and bustle of the world.  One needs to slow down and spend much more time with family and friends.  

We have always had a small garden at our homes, and we had a 40 x 40 plot in the back yard at our new house as well.  We grew tomatoes peppers and tried a handful of other items, with varied success.  In 2005, we found out that Jackie was pregnant again, hurray.  But our lives (and mindset) had changed and we wanted to find a way that Jackie could be a stay at home mom to raise a family with traditional values and ways and spend more time with a family.  That would mean leaving her good corporate job, and going to one household income (a teachers salary at that).  Brad had since spoke with a friend that raises some chickens and sells their eggs.  That sparked the interest and a way to earn extra money so Jackie could stay at home, so we ordered 300 baby chicks.  At the same time, we expanded the garden and got more serious about the farming.  We have never used any synthetic chemical on our property and have always believed in natural and eco friendly ways of gardening, so it was a no-brainer to go organic in our growing methods.   That summer of 2005 we started selling at the Downtown Bloomington Farmer's Market, we did not have much to sell, but stuck it out until our chickens started producing.  At the end of the season we started going to local food stores to see if they would like to carry our eggs in their stores, and we found out that many did have a market base for organic produce and eggs and we began supplying them.  Now the majority of the time is spent caring for the hens, collecting, washing and packaging eggs, then in addition, in the spring through fall growing, tending, harvesting and prepping produce for sale as well. 

We do think it is every person's own responsibility to be good stewards of our land. 
We should watch what we put into our bodies, to get the most from our bodies. 
Family and friends should be cherished and loved and not neglected. 
Good morals and values need to be taught our children because they are the future of our country.    

 

For more information, call, or visit our website!
www.dearingdesigns.com/farm

 

 

 

 

Reasons to Buy and Eat Local - Organic!


1. It's healthy
On average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants, when heirloom plants are used, the nutritional value is up to 90% better than current GMO plants.

2. No nasty additives
Organic food doesn't contain food additives, preservatives or colorings which can cause health problems such as heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines, cancers, attention deficit, hyperactivity, obesity and Alzheimer’s.

3. Avoids synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers
Over 400 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming and residues are often present in non-organic food. The US government has recently found high levels of chemical residues in baby food, spinach, dried fruit, bread, apples, celery, and many other foods.

4. No GMO
Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are discouraged under organic standards.

5. Reliance on drugs removed
There is growing concern about the high use of antibiotics on farm animals and the possible effects on human health. Dearing Country Farms discourage the use of antibiotics and vaccinations. Organic food is bursting with vitamins and minerals. We believe this is because of the way it is grown – with nature. Natural systems for fertilizing the soil and keeping pests under control are used instead of relying on chemicals. Organic farmers nourish the soil with all the must-have nutrients, not just those needed to make the plants grow. This gives the plants all the goodness they need so that they can give you all the goodness you need.  We make sure that during growing, as well as, after the food has left the farm, it remains as pure as possible.

6. No hidden costs
You get what you pay for!  There is an increase in labor for producing organic products, when comparing this with the exorbitant amount tax payers fork out to pay for removing chemicals from drinking water, mainly as a result of the pesticides used in farming, you immediately see the value added for organic produce.

7. High standards
Organic food comes from trusted sources. Most organic farms and food companies are inspected at least once a year by a certifying agency or peer organic farmers to ensure good practices.

8. Care for animals
Animal welfare is taken very seriously under organic standards. The benefits of the organic approach are acknowledged by animal welfare organizations.  We believe no chickens or eggs are produced to higher standards than those with free range, cage free, pastured, organic standards:

·       The birds are truly free range, spending more of their lives comfortably foraging outside

·       They have better access to fresh grass and air

·       They have more space in their houses.

·       Their diet is rich in organically grown grains

·       The routine use of antibiotics is discouraged

·       Genetically modified feed is not used

·       Scientific research has shown that, in general, organic farming increases wildlife on farms and helps protect the environment

9. Good for wildlife and the environment
The US government has said that organic farming is better for wildlife, causes lower pollution from sprays, produces less carbon dioxide - the main global warming gas - and less dangerous wastes.  Eating food grown without unnecessary chemicals is both good for you and the countryside.  Organic farmers work with nature. They provide habitats for natural predators such as beetles, spiders and birds which control pests.  Organic farming bans artificial fertilizers which pollute our waters. Organic farmers fertilize their fields by rotating their crops, using composted manure, and planting crops which naturally feed nitrogen to the soil.

10. Tops for taste
Many people prefer organic food because they say it tastes better.  Buying local means the food comes from nearby and is typically not shipped.  The food comes to you sooner without sitting in a warehouse or shipping terminal, ensuring freshness. 

11.  Supports local and family farming operations
Small farms need your support to keep running and ensuring you continue getting fresh local organic food.  Your patronage is key to making that happen.