The DeGroot family farm was started in rural St. Anne, Illinois, in the 1950s by Andrew’s grandfather Virgil. Now the farm raises 1,300 acres of specialty crops including potatoes, cabbage, squash, and several different kinds of peppers. The DeGroots have raised potatoes since 1989 and devote around 1,000 acres to their production. Over the years, the DeGroot farm has raised pumpkins, sweet corn, asparagus, cucumbers, and eggplant, among other various vegetables. They also raise traditional field corn and soybeans on a portion of their farm land. It is a family affair – Andrew farms with his brother Adam, his cousin Mary, his father Paul, and Uncle Jim. “In order to take care of our natural resources and to ensure the viability of our family farm for future generations, we plant cover crops on all of our farm land used for specialty crops in order to prevent soil erosion in the winter. We also have around 30 acres of butterfly habitat and are looking to expand those acres in the future.” Andrew DeGroot | St. Anne, IL FARMER SPOTLIGHT 24