Our Story

Our story as J & K Smith Family Farms began in 1998 when Jim and Kim married, and it expanded in 2007 when they returned to Jim’s home area in Northeast Indiana. But the roots of our farm reach much deeper. Jim’s ancestors were farming in DeKalb County before the Civil War, with other branches establishing farms in the late 1800s and early 1900s. That legacy of hard work, stewardship, and family commitment from the Krise, May, Baker, Smith, Stasell, O’Brien, and Heckler families who toiled in the soil of DeKalb and Allen counties continues to guide how we farm today.

Our History

Farming has always been a thread running through our family’s story. From the earliest days of breaking ground in DeKalb County, to adapting to new technologies and conservation practices today, each generation has carried forward the same belief: farming is both a responsibility and a privilege. When Jim and Kim returned in 2007, they built on that foundation, expanding the farm while embracing practices that protect the soil and sustain the land for future generations.

Our Mission & Values

For us, farming is more than a business — it’s a way of life. We are committed to:

  • Stewardship: caring for the soil, water, and land entrusted to us.

  • Quality: producing corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay with consistency and care.

  • Community: supporting our neighbors and contributing to local agriculture.

  • Heritage: honoring the generations before us while preparing for those to come.

Meet the Family

Jim grew up in Northeast Indiana surrounded by agriculture, a path that shaped both his career and his calling as a Swine Nutritionist. From an early age, he knew he wanted to be a farmer, often tagging along with his grandfathers on their farms and learning by their example. He followed his passion to Purdue University, where he earned an Animal Science degree, and then to Kansas State University, where he completed both a Master’s and Doctorate in Swine Nutrition. Over the years, Jim has become a recognized expert in swine feeding, developing programs and products that have impacted hog farms across the country.

Kim has been a steady partner from the beginning, balancing farm life with her own career as a veterinarian and serving as the constant force that keeps the family together. She began her path in agriculture as an equestrian and earned her Animal Science degree at California State University – Fresno. Her journey then led her to Kansas State University, where she earned a Master’s in Ruminant Nutrition, and later to Iowa State University, where she fulfilled her lifelong dream by earning her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. A product of the suburbs of Fresno, California, Kim has embraced the pulse of a Midwestern farm, helping where she can as the farm grows and expands.

Together, Jim and Kim have raised their family on the farm, teaching the same lessons of responsibility, hard work, and respect for the land that were instilled in them.

Their daughter, Shelby, followed in her parents’ agricultural footsteps, earning an Animal Sciences degree from Kansas State University. She is now a product manager for a multinational company, leading their beef genetics testing efforts. Shelby and her husband, Chad, farm in southeast Nebraska, where they raise corn, soybeans, and maintain a cow-calf herd.

Their eldest son, Toby, also pursued animal agriculture, earning his Animal Sciences degree from Purdue University. He now works for an Australian company based in Chicago, leading their efforts to market lamb products for use in pet food and managing logistics for imports into the United States. Outside of work, Toby continues to enjoy his passion for rugby as a member of the Lincoln Park Rugby team. He still returns home to help on the farm whenever possible, especially during planting and harvest.

Their youngest son, Johnathan, is growing up with the farm, balancing chores with a busy high school schedule. He is active in Boy Scouts, marching and jazz band, and 4-H, while also lending a hand whenever possible. His interest and skill in technology have become an asset as new tools and systems are introduced to the farm.

Each of them carries the farm forward in their own way, but together they remain rooted in family, faith, and farming.