EST. 1912
Sunny View Farm
EST. 2023
The Farm's History
Sunny View was first established by Fred & Lillie Schminke in 1912, and this is where its name comes from. Like many farms, it was lost in the Great Depression. Today, we are excited to respect its legacy by prioritizing the health of its land, its food, and its relationship with our neighbors.
If you are curious to learn more about who owned the farm before we did, check our Facebook page for a chart that dates back to its original receipt from the United States government. Are we nerdy? You bet!
Our focus is on raising high-quality lamb, but we are also testing the waters with providing seasonal produce and eventual You-Pick perennial crops like chestnuts and berries. Your feedback here is important - we will adjust our 5 year plan accordingly.
Our Approach
Joel grew up on a conventional dairy and row crop farm in Atkins. He enlisted in the Air Force at 17 and completed a 20-year career as an intelligence analyst in 2023.
Throughout his time in the military, his farming roots sustained an interest in the varied opinions on modern American agriculture. He studied organic and regenerative agricultural practices, as well as the concepts of permaculture and agroforestry. It turns out they are not new ideas, but old ones with great wisdom. Joel completed an agroforestry internship immediately after his retirement with the Savanna Institute in Spring Green, WI. By its end, he knew that a regenerative approach was how he would manage his own farm.
A Place to Call Home
What we love about Sunny View is that its clear the original owners, Fred and Lillie, loved their life here. We enjoy finding memories of them, whether it's a discovery of original wallpaper or forgotten brick pathways under sod.
We are grateful to return to Joel's hometown. Joel is head farmer, with a focus on sheep management and system design. Carolyn is a nurse and the unofficial veterinarian for our sheep. Our sons Thomas, William and Micah have lived all over the country but this is the first place that feels like home. Fireflies, open fields, and animal companions - the farm is a beautiful place!
Farming is also an all-consuming, though beautiful vocation. We are committed to learning and improving on our efforts to create a regenerative system at Sunny View that replenishes soil health, reduces erosion, and is ultimately best for everyone: the animals, the produce, and your family.
Come join us as we share what we've learned and re-establish Sunny View as a family-owned farm that calls back to a happy, wholesome way of living!
The First Steps
It takes a long-term view to transition traditionally-farmed ground to a regenerative ecosystem.
This is our second year (2025) in really getting to jump into this process. As we do, we want to put our community relationships at the forefront. We want your feedback on produce options, so that we can grow what you really want or need. Please take advantage of opportunities to give feedback via the survey below, at our produce stand, via phone/email, or flag us down when you see us out there!
Our 5 Year Goals
Install of a refrigerated locker system.
You will be able to order & pick up meat, produce, and value-added goods 24-7. No more wilted cabbages!
Plant a grove of chestnut trees. Want to know why "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" is something of the past? Learn about the history of the American chestnut HERE.
Plant perennial fruit trees, berries, and other crops that will be available for "You-Pick" once established (chestnuts included).
Transition our open fields to a savannah ecosystem, establishing trees to provide shade and food for our sheep.
Improve upon our process of rotational grazing for both our chickens and sheep.
Because your feedback directs our decisions, would you complete this survey?
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