Meadow Haven Farm

Meadow Haven Farm was started by Allan Sexton and his wife Jeanne. Allan, a retired veterinarian, was raised on a farm in Ohio raising mixed crops (wheat, corn, oats, soybeans) and all sorts of livestock (hogs, beef and dairy cattle, sheep and chickens). His mother supplied a local college with free-range eggs in the early 50’s. In his veterinary practice, he saw the need to move toward more holistic practices and when he retired, decided to return to farming in a holistic, organic, sustainable way. Searching for good rich soils, he settled upon Bureau County, Illinois, and after securing his farm, set upon a path to not only certify it as organic, but to go further and produce the most healthy food he could.

	Jeremy and Cherie House joined in the enterprise and now have three children here on the farm. Jeremy handles the day-to day operation of the farm and Cherie, a former junior high school physical education teacher, handles most of the poultry chores. During this time, Allan and Jeanne knew they needed to find a partner to help with the farming. The found the needed partnership with Jeremy and Cherie House. Jeremy, the son of a local dairy farmer, is also a strong advocate of organic and sustainable farming. He described the farm as an attempt to replicate a natural system and works to be tuned in to what the animals and land is telling him. He manages the farm while Cherie cares for the poultry and together they are raising their children.