By Andrew Amelinckx
on May 24, 2016
Maybe Karlie Allgeyer should have guessed she'd end up on a hobby farm with her boyfriend. After all, some of their first dates took place on a tractor.
Allgeyer, a recent college graduate with a respiratory therapy degree, was exposed to farming as a child: Her father raised chickens and pigs, and both he and her grandfather grew vegetables. But even so, she didn’t recognize at the time how lucky she was to get farm-fresh “from-scratch meals” and wasn’t really interested in agriculture. She’s warmed up to it to say the least, but it did take a little time. When she and Theuerkauf first got laying hens (the animal she calls the “gate-way, hobby farming drug”) she wasn’t a fan right away. They scared her when they flew around and pecked at her, but since then the fear has subsided.
“As I get older now, I really appreciate the hard work that’s put into raising fresh produce and food,” Allgeyer tells Modern Farmer in an email. “I love the art of homesteading and backyard farming, and I can’t wait to continue on with this journey.”
Modern Farmer: Why do you consider yourself a modern farmer?
Karlie Allgeyer: Honestly, we’re still always learning. I have to laugh because I do Google and “Pinterest” a lot of information I want to know. Aside from making mistakes, I try to always keep learning. This isn’t something that comes naturally to me, and some days are hard trying to figure out what to do, but the reward you get from raising and producing your own food is so worth it. Being able to provide fresh eggs for ourselves, our family, and others in the area is a great feeling. I’d love to eventually be able to produce enough to sell at the farmers market.
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MF: Why is it important to you to support local agriculture?
KA: I think we’re entering a time where people are really starting to care about what’s in their food and where it’s coming from. When you’re supporting local, you’re helping support these families that put in so much time, work, and effort, and you’re also supporting your community itself. And I think that’s so important. A community is a unified body of individuals, so without the support of others, where would we be? And it can be as simple as finding a local chicken-keeper to get eggs from, or a local beekeeper for honey, joining a CSA, or supporting the small family dairy in your community. There are a lot of ways to support local.
MF: If you could grow or raise any food or animal, what would it be and why?
KA: I am obsessed with alpacas. And sheep. I would love a couple of each to join our little farm. Travis isn’t quite on board for that yet. He says, “everything has to have a purpose.” Which I totally understand and agree. But I’ve said multiple times that I would sell their fiber but he has a hard time believing me. I’ll have him convinced at some point.
MF: What’s your favorite vegetable?
KA: My favorite vegetable is carrots. Or anything out of my grandpa’s garden.
MF: If you could give other modern farmers any advice, what would it be?
KA: My advice to other modern farmers would be to always keep learning and not to let a lack of experience stop them from starting. Never get too comfortable with the knowledge you’ve gained, because there is always more out there to learn. Read books, talk to older, more experienced farmers, search the web. There’s so much out there to learn. Keep an open mind.
MF: Do you have a farming/agricultural hero? Why do you admire them?
KA: I guess I don’t have one specific hero but I would say my farming heroes would be my boyfriend’s family. I see how hard their whole family works, the late nights the guys put in, the frustrated and stressed days put in at their family farm. I really admire them, the men and women, all of them.
MF: What was the biggest mistake you’ve ever made in regard to farming? How did you solve it?
KA: Hah, which mistake? They happen all the time. I would say the biggest mistake I’ve made would be lack of time I’ve spent with some of our animals. It’s hard to admit, but life happens, and I know that’s not a good enough excuse. Sometimes you run out to feed them quickly without spending the time with them because you have a trillion other things on your mind. That would be my biggest regret. I’m hoping I’m not the only one that’s struggled with this. I try my best to set some more time aside now to brush and talk to our cow and spend time with our chickens.
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