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Why raise elk in the Midwest?
Thanks to the ever creative mind of Jim, we decided to diversify to see if this farm could be somewhat more entertaining and more profitable than it previously was as just a grain farm. Jim has three more children that live out west in Colorado and Montana. One of our favorite pastimes on our visits was going to the parks in search of elk. During the harvest of 1998, Jim along with his boys thought we would be more successful raising a small elk herd for meat than attempting to keep raising soybeans/corn on 20 acres of semi-sandy soil. With a lot of family meetings, phone calls and visits to other area elk farms, the family purchased our first 5 animals in the fall of 1999, and have quickly grown to 43 this spring (2005), after the birth of 8 calves.
Because of the overwhelming interest to these majestic animals found in the Midwest, we opened our farm to the public August 2004 as a new agritourism destination. We had an incredible busy fall last year giving approximately 7000 elk tours to see our internationally ranked bulls.
To aid in the family enjoyment we have added a 7 ˝ acre corn maze full of fun twists and wrong turns, an easier maze for children 9 & under, as well as a 2 acre u-pick pumpkin and gourd patch. In addition, we opened a retail/gift store stocked with one of a kind gifts ranging from aspen log furniture, Native American baskets and pottery, leather wear, jewelry, candles, gift items and much more.
This spring we added a Sioux style tipi into the elk habitat. We are currently making the tipi available for added atmosphere to our bonfire cookouts and for presentations for our fall school groups. Reservations are filling up fast with family reunions, scouts, and small business retreats.
Fall is soon upon us, this is the most exciting time of year at Sandy Pine Elk Farm. As you’re browsing the store the aromas of cinnamon/spice and fresh apple pie will coax you over to our chuck wagon concession stand where there is a treat for everyone. On busy weekends we might be grilling elk burgers or brats, or on those crisp fall days serving chili. And for those with the sweeter tooth we have a variety of fresh baked pies, like apple caramel walnut, peach praline, very berry, or everyone’s fall favorite caramel apples.
Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy a relaxing wagon ride out to the elk pastures, nestled among the red pine trees and rolling hills. Always be on alert, listening in anticipation, to hear the sound of antlers locking or bulls bellowing their mating call the “bugle.”
Sandy Pine Elk Farm would like to invite you out to their farm this fall to enjoy the crisp days and relaxing atmosphere. Take a day to retreat to the country to this unique farm that allows its visitors an up-close glimpse of one of the countries most majestic animals the North American Elk.
Our tours are worth your trip!!!
28650 Hahnaman Rd. Deer Grove, IL 61243 Phone - 815-438-2463 |
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Copyright © 2006 Sandy Pine Elk Farm ● Website Designed by Meyer Computer Consulting |
Welcome to the Sandy
Pine Elk Farm; family owned and operated by the Henrekin Family.
The roots run deep here in the Deer Grove area. The Henrekin
brothers, Charlie and Tommy dually ran the farming operations
starting back in 1946. Even then, the family was working together
to make their farming a success, raising thousands of head of beef
cattle, dairy cattle and grain farming as we do today. The farm
where the elk graze and the store sits was purchased back in 1960 by
Charlie Henrekin. In 1962 Charlie and his son Jim planted 5000 red
and white pine trees on the rolling hills, which give its beauty and
peacefulness today. In 1972, after Charlie passed on, his son Jim
purchased this farm from his mother and to this day continues to
farm with his wife Sandy and family. His sons, JC and Matt along
with their wives LaMonica and Melissa and their children, Kassi,
Logan, and Carly remain next to, or on the home farm and are all
involved in the day-to-day farming operations, which consists of
raising 4000 acres of soybeans, seed beans, field corn, seed corn,
alfalfa, pumpkins and now maintaining an elk heard of 43 and running
the Sandy Pine Elk Farm and gift store.
Come
see the Elk!
