Our Story
Zumwalt Acres practices farming methods that regenerate the soil, mitigate climate change, and align with Jewish values. It was founded by the youngest generation of the Zumwalt family and their peers in 2020 on land in Sheldon, IL that has been in the Zumwalt family for over 150 years. Sheldon, IL is located on unceded homelands of Kickapoo, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Potawatomi, Myaamia, and Ocethi Sakowin peoples. JR Zumwalt, the longtime steward of this land, grew up in our farmhouse. Since he was young, he envisioned a more sustainable and diversified system on this land. In the 1980s, while running a small hay business on this land, JR wrote to his father:
“Ten years of steadily trying to make a change; trying to give impetus to lift us from the trench that farming conventionally has sunken us into… We could create a system of agriculture that would lay the groundwork for generations; a system that would breathe life and health back into this ground. “
At Zumwalt Acres, we are committed to breathing life and health back into our soils. This work is primarily carried out through our fellowship program, which aims to bring emerging young land stewards to the agricultural heartland of the United States.
We are also inspired by faith-based teachings on land stewardship and ecological values. Spirituality motivates us to infuse our work with care and intentionality, and reminds us of our obligations to future generations who will tend the land after us. Jewish tradition, in particular, serves as the grounding force of our community. Zumwalt Acres fellows explore what it means to incorporate Jewish instructions, such as the periodic fallowing of the land and the dedication of portions of our yield to communities in need, into our agricultural practice. Our on-farm community also enter a household grounded in Jewish practice, with time to rest on Shabbat and reflect on our work through Jewish cycles of time. All are welcome in our community and on our land, as we work to honor the array of traditions, beliefs, and spiritual connection to land that future community members may bring.
Our Farm
With access to about 50 acres of land, we use our space in the following ways:
1 acre of annual vegetables (think: heirloom tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, greens, beans, herbs). We distribute produce at the Sheldon Food Pantry, Watseka Farmers Market, and through Down at the Farms, in addition to feeding ourselves.
1 acre of perennial fruit and nuts (including blackberries, aronia berries, elderberries, hazelnuts, chestnuts, apples, pears, persimmons, paw paws, apricots, and peaches). Our food trees are still young, but we expect increased productions starting in 2024.
Oyster mushroom + shiitakes: We cultivate oyster mushrooms indoors using reusable 5-gallon buckets and straw we grow onsite, and shiitakes on outdoor logs. You can find our mushrooms at Murphy’s Food King in Kentland, the Watseka Farmers Market, and occasionally Village Farmstand in Evanston. If you’re interested in purchasing mushrooms directly from us, be in touch!
20 acres of chemical-free and carbon-neutral hay: This hay is being grown on land that was transitioned from conventional corn and soy production after 2020. Since then, we have run field trials on these acres using basalt rock as a natural soil amendment to capture carbon. The hay is sold locally and used to feed the Zumwalt family’s cattle herd, while the straw is used to grow our mushrooms and mulch our vegetable beds.
Our Mission
Our mission is to foster a new generation of farmers, scientists, and activists to build a better food system and tackle climate change. Our work is grounded in environmental farming practices, scientific research, and community building, guided by Jewish values.
