About Us
Martin Family Farms is owned and operated by Jeff and Jean Martin, Doug and Erin Martin, Derek and Renee Martin of Mount Pulaski, Illinois. They raise corn and soybeans on several farms located throughout central Illinois.
Jeff and Jean were both raised on grain farms in rural Mt. Pulaski. They both graduated from the University of Illinois with degrees in agricultural economics and finance. Throughout the years, they have had a deep devotion and commitment to their family, their farm, and the agricultural community.
Jeff has been involved with countless civic activities such as school, church, and various organizations. He has been deeply involved with The Chicago Farmers becoming the first ever "farmer" president to lead that organization. He has been a member of the Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and has won numerous awards including the Illinois Corn Growers Environmental Action Award, the No-Till Farmer Innovator of the Year, Top 25 Legends of No Till, and the 2006 Outstanding American Conservation Award from the Farm Service Agency.
Jean is also very active in agriculture and the community. She has served on various local organizations, such as the St. Johns Church and the Mt. Pulaski Park District. She is one of the primary grain haulers in the fall, along with keeping records and bookwork. During the winter months she is employed by FBFM.
Doug and Erin have been married since 1998 and are enjoying raising their four children, Drew, Alec, Luke, and Ella. Doug graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho and completed a bachelor’s degree in agriculture production. Doug returned home to farm in 1998 and has been involved in various local and agricultural organizations also. He was a 2004 graduate of The Illinois Ag Leadership Program, where he spent time in Washington D.C., China, Hong Kong, and India. Doug was also a graduate of the 2006 Cultivating Master Farmer Program. He is the former chairman of the Land of Lincoln Soil Savers and is a Mt. Pulaski FFA Alumni. He is a former member of the advisory council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and former director for the Logan County Soil and Water Conservation District, and former President of the Mt. Pulaski Athletic Association. He also spent 10 years as the assistant Jr. High boys’ basketball coach. He is currently on Mt. Pulaski CUSD #23 school board, and training with the Illinois Sustainable Ag Partnership to become a Soil Health Ambassador for Illinois. Doug and Erin have four children, Drew, Alec, Luke, and Ella.
Erin completed her degree from Lincoln Land Community College. She took a job with the State of Illinois, but in 2005, she made the switch to be a full-time mother. She is deeply devoted to raising their four children. In her spare time, Erin has recently served as a trustee for the Lake Fork Township, is currently the secretary for the Mt. Pulaski Booster Club, and is the former President of the local PASE (parent/student) organization.
In 2013, Derek and Renee joined the farming operation. They were married in 2006 and have two boys, Dean and Reed. Derek attended the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana where he was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in farm and financial management in 2002. After college, Derek worked for Bunge North America as a grain merchandiser on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. In the summer of 2005, Derek moved back to Mt. Pulaski where he became an assistant elevator manger and safety director for Elkhart Grain Company. Derek has been involved in community and agricultural organizations for many years now. He is currently the president of the Mt. Pulaski Township Park District, a board member of the Logan County Farm Bureau, and a member of the Lake Fork Drainage District. Derek and Renee were also named National Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year in 2019. Derek and Renee have two children Dean and Reed.
Renee attended Parkland Community College where she graduated with an associate degree in applied science of dental hygiene in 2002. Renee has worked as a part time and full-time hygienist until she recently resigned her position to help on the farm. In her spare time, she is dental hygiene substitute for a few offices in central Illinois. Renee is chairman of the Mt. Pulaski Court House Foundation where she helps organize and execute fundraising events to help preserve the state historic site. Renee has served on the Logan County Tourism Bureau and is a member of the Looking for Lincoln Steering Council. Renee is also on the Mount Pulaski Economic Development and Redevelopment Board.
Our Team:
Brandon Batchelder was hired on in the spring of 2020 to replace our longtime employee Jerry Tschantz who retired in the fall of 2021. Brandon is a graduate of Mt. Pulaski High School and has grown up on a family farm working side by side with his Grandpa for many years. Brandon brings a good understanding of farm equipment and a great work ethic that will help the success of our operation going forward.
Chad Radtke has been a part of the operation since 2011. Chad, born and raised in central Illinois, has been in the agriculture industry since his teenage years. Chad is married to his wife, Lori, and they have one adult daughter, Jade. Chad and Lori reside in the country of Mount Pulaski, Illinois. Chad is Renee’s brother, Derek’s brother-in-law, and uncle to Dean and Reed.
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