Have you ever had an interest in farming? There are many different types of farming and each one has a different set of things that bring it together. Tony and Laura Whitefeather are two organic vegetable farmers who are well-known personalities living in Amherst Junction.

The Whitefeathers sell their produce to multiple places around Stevens Point including The Big Garlic, Main Grain Bakery, Father Fats, Ruby Coffee House, and the Stevens Point Co-op. They also raise chickens for eggs and meat, which are exclusively for community members.  In their own words, “An organic diverse vegetable farm with animals.”

They purchased the now Whitefeather Organics back in 2006, prior to that Tony Whitefeather worked as a farmer for at least two or three years before he met his wife Laura. Ever since then they’ve worked together on their farm with more than 20 years of farming experience. 

They both have things they enjoy about farming and things that they find particularly challenging. For Laura, she mostly enjoys working in the greenhouse in the springtime. There she gets to work with seeding and the soil and work in the soft warmth of the greenhouse. “My favorite part is at the beginning of the season, because everything is fresh, you’re not sick of it yet,” she said.

Tony enjoys the different seasons throughout the year, spring being his favorite. But in the end, his favorite thing overall is seeing the finished product throughout each season. Seeing a field full of crops, then the harvest, and just seeing all the hard work pay off. “I guess my favorite thing is when it comes together and you can see the field and it looks great, and you’re gonna harvest it, and you’re like, we did that,” he said.

Something that the two both agreed with was what they find challenging with farming. They both know that every year is different and with each year comes new challenges. But each year they overcome whatever comes their way, working together through it all.

What actually brought them down this career path? it was a matter of a moment in life where one thinks “Where do I fit in” after trying other jobs and eventually trying organic vegetable farming and finding what they call their sense of purpose.

That was Tony’s journey and he made that clear to Laura. “I’m gonna go down this path and we were a young family and had young kids and it would be perfect for us to be able to have our children right there with us and work at the same time,” he said.

So not only did farming bring a feeling of accomplishment with each year, but it also gave them a chance to raise their kids and be there for them more than they would be able to if they had to leave each day for work. Therefore, they got more hands-on parenting experience. 

As they continue to work on their farm, they learn new things everyday. But no matter what challenges come with the years they will always pull through, and they will continue to be now and always close friends, neighbors, and an amazing contribution to the community.