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Healthy Farm Project

Since 2003, Heifer International and The Land Connection have partnered on the Healthy Farms, Healthy Food, Healthy Communities program.

Esther Muchiri, the Great Lakes Field Coordinator for Heifer International, tours Steve Hillman’s chemical-free and GMO-free cornfields. Hillman (right) and Doug Sassman (left) have partnered to produce healthy meats, which are sold to community members at the Heritage Farmers Market.

The program aims to improve the economic viability of new and existing farms and families, increase local production and consumption of healthy, local foods, improve the environment, and ensure group self-reliance.

Meet some of the farmers involved in Healthy Farms, Healthy Foods, Healthy Communities:

Ryne and Karen Tharp, Terrebonne Farms

The livestock loans from Heifer International enabled Ryne and Karen Tharp to begin their new life as farmers.  The Tharps are now established farmers, and have "passed on the gift" of livestock to other farmers in their area. Wanting high-quality, humanely-raised grass-fed meats, the Tharps began raising Katahdin hair sheep, and their flock grew to include Scottish Highland steers. They use only sustainable methods, including rotational grazing, and no hormones, antibiotics, pesticides or herbicides. The Tharps prove that animal management practices lead to healthier animals, noting that using a rotational grazing regime has improved the health and fertility of their sheep. They report, "Our sheep have been averaging 1.6 lambs per ewe and we continue to reduce the parasite rate that is usually associated with grain-fed and confinement raised lamb." Their goal is "to not only raise the finest animals, but to support other family farms and promote sustainability by providing markets for humanely and naturally raised beef, lamb, pork, and goat." They named their farm Terrebonne, "Good Earth," to reflect their respect for all living things on this earth.

Kory and Jennifer Lawrence, TLC's Apple Corner Farm

In 2006, Kory and Jennifer Lawrence and their daughters joined the Heifer/TLC group. They live in the town of Eureka and did not have access to land, so they began raising livestock and vegetables on The Land Connection property south of Eureka. The Lawrences are now raising six steers, three pigs, numerous chickens, and vegetables, some of which will feed their family and the remainder of which will be sold as packaged meat at the Heritage Farmers Market in order to repay the Heifer livestock loan and generate income for the family.

Cindi Clements, Cindi's Fruit Farm

Cindi Clements recently turned 50 and is following her dream of raising and selling berries, other fruits and vegetables to local consumers. One of the founding farmers of the Heritage Farmers Market, Clements is now growing berries, fruits, rhubarb, and other fruits on her 18 acre farm, utilizing rootstock from Heifer funds. Clements is looking forward to stewarding this farm so that it can support her in "the second half of her life."