Mick Klug Farm

5795 Scottdale Rd.
St. Joseph, MI 49085

The Klug family has been farming their land for 70 years and the last 30 years, Mick Klug has been in charge. Mick, along with his wife, Cindy and their two daughters, Abby and Amy, grow a wide variety of fruits, including 15 different varieties of peaches, asparagus, peas, corn and green beans on their 120-acre farm in Michigan. Mick, Cindy and Abby work on the farm, pack the produce, and sell at the farmers markets. Amy helps at the markets too, when extra help is needed.

While not certified organic, Klug Farms is dedicated to using the least amount of chemicals and to always practicing sustainable methods in their farming. Mick Klug uses Integrated Pest Management or IPM on his land. The Southwestern Michigan climate is beneficial for fruit production, but Klug says that high humidity in the region means that fungus and rot create a big problem. He has experimented with various forms of control and found that the less chemical spraying he used, the better his fruit tasted. With IPM, farmers try to understand the needs of the particular plant and the life cycle of the pest to successfully suppress them with minimal spraying. The spraying usually occurs early in the development stage of the fruit around the time the plant blossoms, so that the actual fruit is left untouched.[i]

You can find Klug Farms products through their CSA program and at several Chicago farmers markets, including Green City Market. They can also be found at Chicago’s Downtown Farm Stand, through Irv and Shelly’s Fresh Picks, and at more than 20 restaurants in the area.

What is your growing philosophy?
To raise a quality, sellable product [by] using the least amount of chemicals as possible as well as using sustainable practices at all times.

What is your favorite part of being a farmer?
Raising quality crops and building relationships with our customers.

What is your least favorite part?
The politics of farming and selling my produce at markets.

What makes your farm special?
We have the highest quality produce one can possibly raise.

Where would you like your business to in 5 years? 10 years?
Five years: continuing to sell at the markets in Chicago.

Ten years: Near retirement; slowing down a little to spend time with my family and friends.