Dan and Joanne Nelson are avid, professional Certified Naturally Grown farmers. Since both of them grew up on farms in rural Iowa and Utah, they have dreamed of owning a small farm. They have had a small farm since 1997 in Utah, then moving to Stockton, Missouri in 2002 on 80 acres.
In January of 2006 they purchased 15 acres 5 miles south of Moberly, Missouri. They have 5 boys - Brad, Derek, Jesse, Aaron and Wade that play an important role in keeping the farm going. Hank as the farmer manager and Chef Doug as the kitchen manager are now at the farm to meet the demand of our community.You might also see volunteer laborers from the WOOF ( World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms ) program to help throughout the year.
They grow vegetable, berry and fruit crops for their CSA program, two local farmers markets and their "All Missouri" Country Store. The 5 greenhouses are usually full by springtime and early summer supplying the acre of produce they grow out each year. They operate Rise n Shine Bakery and Cornucopia's Catering from their farm to the delight of many happy customers and friends.
With a great love for the land they planted 21 fruit trees namely apples, apricots, pears, plums, peaches and cherries in 2008 to start the family fruit orchard. Another 50 berry bushes went in the same year to grow out blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries, and with 1000 strawberry plants too!
The 2 ponds on the property allow a steady supply of water to the animals that rotationally graze through the year. They have turkeys, chickens, and pigs being certified through the Animal Welfare Approved program. This program has the highest standards of humane treatment and care of livestock in the world. Within the barnyard you can see the friendly Labrador Retriever Snickers, the cats named BC (Black Cat) and Silvester, Molly and Jake the Bronze Turkeys, Wilbur the Boar and a gaggle or two of wild Canadian geese waddling around with their young. Bees buzzing from their 5 bee hives are working to keep things pollinated and even give them some honey. And of course, the frogs, spiders, mice, snakes, and lizards that make their way through this world of ours.
They truly enjoy having neighbors, friends and family visit our farmstead and invite you to come out sometime. Just stop in and take a break from the busy world they live in. You'll be glad you did! Maybe do a little fishing! May happiness and peace be with you. May God bless your lives always.
From Dan & Joanne Nelson and the boys!
