Our story

Prairie Creek Organics is a fourth-generation family farm rooted in Emden, Illinois.

Farming has been part of the Klokkenga family since 1911. Each generation has built on the last, from working the land with horses to expanding the operation and adapting to new ways of farming.

Today, Kristopher and Christina continue that legacy with a focus on organic production and long-term land stewardship.

Aerial view of a rural farm with multiple white buildings, barns, silos, surrounded by green fields, trees, and a few vehicles.

Our roots

This farm was first purchased by Kristopher’s great-grandfather in the early 1900s.

From farming with Percheron draft horses to expanding the operation across generations, each chapter has shaped how we farm today.

That history matters, not just because of where we came from, but because it guides how we care for the land moving forward.

An elderly couple dancing outdoors with a house in the background. The woman has short dark hair and is wearing a colorful patterned dress, and the man has gray hair, glasses, and is wearing a light blue button-down shirt and beige pants.

A Legacy of Leadership

For decades, the farm was led by Kristopher’s father, Jim, alongside his wife Joyce.

Their steady leadership helped shape the operation through years of growth, change, and transition, building the foundation Prairie Creek Organics stands on today.

A young man stands on a narrow rope bridge in a lush green forest, holding onto the ropes on either side, with trees and greenery in the background.

A Different Path Back to the Farm

Kristopher didn’t take a straight path into farming.

After studying agricultural business, he worked in the commodity industry before moving to Ghana, where he managed a shea nut processing plant.

It was there that he and Christina met while she was completing her PhD research.

Living and working abroad shaped how they approach agriculture today, with a mindset of continuous learning and a willingness to do things differently.

Four children sitting on a porch swing, holding a small toddler. The children have light blonde hair and are smiling. The children are wearing casual clothing and sneakers. The background shows trees, a barn, and a clear blue sky, with a distant amusement park ride visible.

Building for the Next Generation

In 2015, Kristopher began transitioning the family’s land to organic production. It wasn’t easy, and organic farming comes with a steeper learning curve.

Over time, through experience and better systems, Prairie Creek Organics has grown into a reliable organic farming operation and a place to raise their four children.

A young girl with long blonde hair smiling in front of a green tractor with multiple children and a man sitting inside.
A fluffy black and white puppy sitting on green grass with two weathered barns and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.
Woman riding a white bicycle with a child in a child seat in the back, both wearing helmets, on a rural road with a field of tall grass or crops and a clear blue sky in the background.
Family photo outdoors on a sunny day with multiple generations, including children, adults, and seniors, smiling in front of a house and trees.
A smiling family of three inside a vehicle, with two adults and a young child, in front of a green rural landscape.