5 Questions from Dona Verde Rader Family Farms | Local business

The philosophy behind Rader Family Farms is connecting the community to the farm through the influence of faith, family and fun while developing relationships and emotional connections with our customers. It’s the connections we make with others and the different ways we collaborate with the people we’ve made connections with that have helped us grow our business and share our passion with others every year.

We are blessed to have the opportunity to make a living off the land as our ancestors did. Although many changes have continued in the last four generations, the philosophy remains and is based on hard work, wise decisions and sharing strong heritage values ​​based on agriculture and faith.

During our fall season, September-October, the Raders continue to host activities to keep their guests busy and teach them a little about farm life. The family has developed unique ways to renovate common agricultural items and activities in the farm.

There are more than 50 different activities at the farm, including two pipes that have been converted into a double-barrel chute slide and two large grain bins, now affectionately known as “corny bins,” where children can play in a 2-foot sea of ​​corn kernels.

Tractor tires are used to build a climbing tower, a tree trunk is turned into a horse saddle and an old oil barrel is turned into a critter cart ride for the kids.

Old fashioned water pumps are the power behind duck pump races and an old pig feeder turned pub table. There is an old box truck painted with chalkboard so visitors can use sidewalk chalk to leave their mark on the Rader family farms.

New this season is a low ropes course, reimagined Little Village boy-sized buildings, a new Conk-a-Crow game, a newly designed trick track and a new tractor pull game.

There’s also a giant jumping pillow and an apple blaster that shoots apples up to 300 miles, just to name a few of our attractions.

In addition to encouraging children to use their imaginations, Rader wanted to bring some educational elements to the farm, and as a result, planted trees from around Illinois, using a map to guide guests on a self-guided tour.

Another educational part of the farm is the crop circle, which allows visitors to see the crops up close. Seed Sewing is a unique program, funded by a business sponsor, that brings local second graders to the farm to learn how pizza grows on a farm.

Field trips are held at the farm from Wednesday to Friday in September and October. Rader Family Farms offers group and corporate events as well as birthday party packages. Visit us at RaderFamilyFarms.com to find out more about our activities and events on the farm.

Each year the Raiders invest back into the farm and expand their offerings to further enhance their guests’ experience, focusing on the tagline “Gathering Memories on the Edge of Normal.”

The family has drawn up a five-year plan to expand the operation from September to October to include more summer events, markets and gatherings and events for other seasons, including Christmas.

Annual summer events now include Children’s Animal Days, the Sunflower Days Festival featuring more than 15 varieties of sunflowers, and the Farmstead Fair pop-up vendor market featuring local artisans and a unique outdoor shopping experience. The Rader family continues to make the farm their destination for thousands of guests each year.