Brian Poeppel
Brian began farming with his wife, Anita, 5 years ago. Having grown up in Glen Ellyn, IL and lived in an urban environment all his life, the change to farming could have been a rough one. Instead, Brian found a true love in working outdoors and for himself. In 1989, Brian earned his BS at the University of Illinois in History and Political Science. He spent several years working as a business consultant and helping Anita part-time with the growing business. Brian now farms full-time with Anita and the farm couldn't thrive without his hard work, ingenuity, and determination to get a job done. Some of Brian's most important contributions to the farm are the design and installation of the irrigation system and his mechanical knowledge which stretches from the everyday car and truck to our John Deere 1020 tractor.
Anita Poeppel
Anita started what is now Broad Branch Farm in 1995. She grew up on a farm near Wyoming, IL and attended the University of Illinois where she received a BS in Agricultural Economics. She then attended Oklahoma State University and received an MS in Ag Economics. It was at Oklahoma that Anita realized horticulture was a true interest. Relocating to Chicago, IL, Anita began taking a few potted herbs to the Naperville Farmer's Market. Her product line expanded to organic salad greens and vegetables and the response was overwhelming. Brian and Anita moved to a 5-acre farm in Woodstock, IL in 1998 and expanded the organic farming. During the time in Woodstock, Anita developed the FarmTherapy line of natural body care and her line of homemade granola. In January 2004, the family and farm relocated to Wyoming, Illinois where Anita grew up. The new location offers more land to farm and family just down the road.
Lucy Poeppel
Lucy joined the farm in December 2001 and enjoys her farm life very much. She helps out with many jobs on the farm including feeding the chickens, gathering eggs, helping Mama plant greens in the hoophouse, transplanting onions in the field, harvesting (and eating!) cherry tomatoes, watering plants – just about anything. She’s especially fond of helping to label the granola bags we take to market each week. During the 2005 farmer’s market season, Lucy asked to wear a money belt and was intent on filling greens orders and taking money. Of course she wanted the big bills - $20’s! – in her money belt. Sometimes she is disappointed to hear her job is to simply have fun instead of helping Mama or Daddy with a job. But she is quick with her dazzling smile and a real joy to her family. Thanks Lucy!
Favorite Vegetables: Cherry Tomatoes, Winter Squash, Sweet Potatoes
Favorite Pastime: Listening and singing bluegrass and folk tunes, playing her ukelele
Susannah May Poeppel
Susannah joined our family in February 2004 and is eager to do anything to help especially if her big sissy is trying it out. A little girl who truly loves to get her hands dirty, we typically find her sitting peacefully in the hoophouse digging a hole or just letting the dirt fall through her little fingers. She truly taught us a lesson in the fall of 2005 as she walked across one of our recently planted beds of greens in our west hoophouse. We were seeing poor germination despite regular overhead watering and didn’t know why. As she took off across the just watered bed, we noticed that wherever she stepped the dirt stuck to her shoe and it was bone dry underneath. The lesson? The beds needed to be pre-moistened before planting. The soil was so dry from not receiving any moisture all summer long, it literally repelled the overhead watering and thus the seeds received no water and did not germinate. What we perceived as a problem (walking on recently planted rows) turned out to be a great learning experience in hoophouse management. Thanks Susannah!
Favorite Vegetables: Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Sweet Corn
Favorite Pastime: Listening and dancing to music with her family
