The Person Behind the Produce
One of Lindsay Knoebel’s favorite things is watching the sun set over the fields after a long day of hard work. The 26-year-old farmer and seed saleswoman keeps busy to say the least, so she uses this time to reflect.
For Knoebel farming has always been her way of life. She welcomes the challenge it brings and enjoys that each day is different. She gets her motivation to work hard from her family and fellow farmers.
“Agriculture is in my blood; it’s who I am,” Knoebel said.
For the past five years, she has held a job full-time selling seed to farmers, but has been actively involved with her family’s livestock and crop farm her entire life. In 2001, she was part of her family’s decision to begin growing produce.
Farming is indeed a family business for Knoebel as she works alongside her parents, Steve and Jody, who farm full-time raising cattle and managing Jelli’s Market.
Jelli’s Market is a produce farm located in Jefferson County. They allow consumers to pick a variety of fruits such as pears, peaches, plums, apples, strawberries and blueberries. The market also sells fresh-cut asparagus, beef, pork, chicken and home décor. The Knoebels also have a greenhouse where they grow flowers and vegetable plants that are sold in the spring for landscaping and gardening.
From planting crops to caring for animals, farmers must take care of all natural resources. Knoebel says she tries to combat the myth that farmers are not responsible caretakers of the land by simply sharing all farming practices they do to ensure a future generation can work the same land.
“Agriculture is a very consumer driven market and as consumers become further removed from agriculture, conversations about farming practices are becoming crucial to ensure everyone understands the path from farm gate to dinner plate,” Knoebel stated.
Knoebel became a Farm Bureau member in 2013 when a friend asked her to join. She now serves in a leadership role as the Jefferson County Young Farmer and Agriculturist chair where she helps plan events for young people in the organization.
“I have to believe in the future of agriculture because it is the core of my existence,” Knoebel said.
Outside of farming and Farm Bureau, Knoebel jokes there is no time for hobbies, but when she does find a spare moment, she enjoys running and downhill skiing in addition to showing livestock.
Story by Sarah Marketon. Original version appeared in the June/July 2017 issue of Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation’s Rural Route.
