The Land: Kid Ranch CSA Farm.

The Land: Kid Ranch CSA Farm.

The Land is a series telling the stories about local agriculture. It is a presentation of Peterson Farms, Inc.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

SHERMAN TOWNSHIP — Back off the road, in the woods northwest of Fountain and nearly due south of Free Soil sit the Kid Ranch CSA Farm, owned by Pete and Jill Wilson. The name is rather appropriate, as Pete and Jill have a dozen children (the oldest is 23-years-old and the youngest is just over 1-year-old). This small farm — with just over 3.5 tillable acres — produces a lot of product, mostly vegetables, but also meat, eggs, milk, maple syrup, and flowers.

Pete says self-reliant, sustainable living had always been appealing to him. He says while growing up he and his family had a considerable size garden. He and his siblings were required to work in the garden during the summer. Eventually, at the age of 10, Pete had his first experience in agribusiness, selling cucumbers.

When he and Jill were up to child four, they decided to start growing their own food on their East Beyer Road property west of Custer Road. Then, friends started asking how they could purchase the produce, which was the beginning of their CSA (community supported agriculture). Members of the public purchase shares into the farm, and each week they receive a delivery of fresh goods throughout the summer and into early fall.

The Wilsons also sell their product at the farm markets in Ludington and Manistee.

To learn more about Kid Ranch CSA Farm, visit kidranchfarm.com.

For information on this series sponsors, Peterson Farms, including careers, visit www.petersonfarmsinc.com.

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