Aaron Butler and his father, Paul, started transitioning  in 1995 and certified their first field in 1997. Gradually they transitioned a few fields every year, and continued to transition additional acres as they were able to rent them. They currently farm about 1300 acres. They became involved in organics by realizing a lot of the practices we were using, (rotations that utilize small grains and hay), would lead to the reduction and eventual elimination of commercial fertilizers and pesticides. With the elimination of herbicides and the use of rotation crops and cover crops our farm has become much more labor intensive. "We view this as a positive development," says Aaron, "mainly from the social standpoint of wanting to spend our money locally to contribute as much as possible to the economies of the towns we live in."

In addition, livestock have become an integral part of the operation. Paul's horse boarding business provides a built in market for a lot of the hay produced on the farm. Hay is a beneficial crop to have in an organic rotation. The sheep flock acts as the farm's garbage disposal; off quality products go to market through the sheep. Aaron and Paul market some of their crops through processors, some through brokers, and some directly to organic livestock feeders.

At their farm the Butler's will talk about their crop and livestock operation, and how it fits together. They will show folks the fields near the house growing yellow corn, seed corn, soybeans, yellow corn with and without chicken litter compost applied, and hay. They also plan to have some of their tillage equipment out to talk about.

The Plapp family has been farming their land in Malta, Illinois for well over a century. Plapp Family Organics produces a range of meat and grain products. Brothers Adrian and Myron Plapp, along with their families, work together to keep the farm running smoothly. Adrian manages the crop work, while his wife Debbie keeps the books and Myron manages the livestock. Organic transitioning began in 1995 and was completed on all acreage in 2000. In mid-2004 the farm began milling its grains into organic flours and grain meals and pressing its oilseeds into organic oils. The Plapps also produce a range of meats including beef, pork, duck, and lamb. Poultry is raised for meat and egg sales.

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