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Hunter Haven Farms Named Master Farmers
Doug and Tom Block, owner/operators of Hunter Haven Farms near Pearl City, were recently named one of four Master Farmers for 2009 by Prairie Farmer magazine. The Master Farmer award, one of the most prestigious honors in the Illinois agriculture industry, has been presented to selected producers in the state since 1925. It recognizes industry leaders who not only exhibit production excellence, but who also have been leaders in community, civic and other activities. The Blocks were nominated for the award by the Stephenson County Farm Bureau, with letters of support from numerous area leaders. Hunter Haven Farms involves 1870 acres of crops and an 800-cow dairy enterprise. The farm also incorporates a methane digester system, which processes the manure from the dairy herd and captures the methane gas. The methane powers two engines that produce electricity for the farm and hundreds of homes, and the residual byproduct is a pathogen-free bedding product used in the free-stall barns to provide the cows with a safe, comfortable environment. The farm meets 80% of its fertility needs with the manure from the operation. Doug and Tom, along with their wives Edie and Mary, father Robert, and children Dan and Nick (Doug's sons) and Jaime and Stephanie (Tom's daughters) were honored at the Prairie Farmer awards dinner on March 4 in Springfield. They join past winners from the area including Dennis Endress (1995), I. Ron Lawfer (1985), Delbert Scheider (1979), Bill McFadden (1978), and John Ammon (1969).
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