It was a beautiful morning at DeMange Farm St. Jacob on Friday. DeMange Farm is a sixth generation farm operation, that has operated in the Metro East since 1874. With over 150 years of farming, they started with produce on mule carts, have held a farm stand for 97 years, and shifted locations to St. Jacob about 50 years ago. Today the acreage produces many fruits, vegetables, sunflowers, and pumpkins, plus raising cattle. DeMange Farm also has the second largest corn maze in the state of Illinois. If you haven’t visited them during this time of the year - you should really consider. It’s an awesome place to get your fall decorations, enjoy fall activities, and pick up a few more locally produced items! Farmer Anne Matthews led our visit and had so many insights for our students. At the end of each week, CEO students have to share their experience and key takeaways. Sharing two journal entries from students this week related to DeMange Farm. Check out their takeaways here!
10/4/23: Today we visited DeMange Farm in St. Jacob. I thought that their farm was a really cool place, and I think I will try to go there in the near future to do the corn maze. I also thought that it was very cool how Anne is constantly adapting to draw in more customers. I thought it was neat how she listens to the advice of youth for new ideas, follows trends on social media, and hosts different themed events to attract people. I also was touched by the amount of hard work that goes into taking care of a farm. I have major respect for her dealing with rude customers and spraying strawberries from 1am to 5 am (during potential frost mornings). Overall, I thought that Anne was a very interesting person, and I really enjoyed this site visit. I feel like I learned a lot of life lessons in the process too.
10/4/24- Site Visit: Demange Farm - Today, we visited DeMange Farm and met with Mrs. Anne Matthews. Along with the tour, she gave us lots of valuable information about growing your business and adapting over time so that you can continue to flourish. I really liked how she talked about the importance of finding a job that makes you happy and trying to always strengthen and keep your mind sharp and whatever you do. I also liked when she talked about how her business focuses on providing a family-ran farm feeling for buying groceries and things of that nature, which you cannot get from strictly going to a Walmart. Today I learned that in life, if you are not willing to change and try new things, you and your business will not see any substantial growth because you’re not willing to take the risk.
Thank you for being so real and transparent with Gateway CEO! Hope to see you at the farm before October is over.