FARMERSVILLE, Ill. — Dereke and Chelsea Dunkirk recently built a new 4,800 pig barn outside of Farmersville. Friends, family, and the local community were invited to the barn for an open house and meal to celebrate the addition to their farm. Tours were offered and a delicious meal prepared by the Dunkirks was provided.
During the ribbon cutting Dereke emphasized, “We are excited about the opportunity to expand our farm by incorporating more pigs, in hopes of providing room for the next generation to come back to the family farm.” Dereke and Chelsea have three children, Adelaide, Gentry, and Rigby, which are the fifth generation in the family farm.
The Dunkirk family has been farming in the Morrisonville area for 90 years. Dereke and Chelsea are raising their kids in the same house that three generations of Dunkirks have lived in. Their farm is diversified with corn, soybeans, pigs, and a family trucking business. Dereke is a director of the Illinois Pork Producers Association and has been very active over the years.
The open house allowed visitors to get a look inside a modern pig barn before the pigs move in. This allows time for the barn to be washed and sanitized before the pigs arrive in the following weeks. New technology such as automatic fans and ventilation, 24/7 access to feed and water, and a controlled environment make for safe living conditions for pigs.
The Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the Illinois Livestock Development Group (ILDG) hosted the event. ILDG is a coalition of Illinois ag groups committed to expanding and growing the livestock industry. Members include: IL Beef Association, IL Corn Marketing Board, IL Farm Bureau, IL Milk Producers’ Association, IL Pork Producers Association, and IL Soybean Association checkoff program.
Other sponsors of the event were: Sponsors: Automated Production (AP), Borgic Pork Partners, Farm Credit Illinois, Farmweld, Frank & West Environmental Engineers, IL Livestock Development Group, IL Pork Producers Association, Longhorn Cattle & Swine Confinement, Maximum Ag Technologies, & Poggenpohl Redi Mix.
— Illinois Pork Producers Association
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