Nestled in Hancock County, Indiana, this fertile land grew corn before we happened upon it. We acquired this farm in 2010 to implement Regenerative Farming practices and inspired by Alan Savory, Manage Holistically. Fields of corn have been replaced by cattle, chickens and pigs working their way through rich pastures, dining on nature’s salad bar and living as nature intended.
Indiana imports an estimated 90% of its food. More than $14.5 billion is spent by Hoosier consumers each year buying food sourced outside the state. (Source: Ken Meter,Hoosier Farmer? Emerging Food Systems in Indiana). “A vital consumer movement seeking healthier food choices, born 40 years ago in Bloomington, has expanded and matured,” Meter says. “Now, people all over Indiana seek to know the farmer that feeds them, and to see with their own eyes the farms where their food was raised.”
Early pioneer Elijah Tyner lends his name to Tyner Pond Farm as a forebear and farmer of the area. We strive to follow in his footsteps as stalwart, hard-working and conscientious residents and farmers.
Elijah Tyner was born March 21, 1799 (or 1797, depending on the records you’re referring to) in South Carolina. Tyner took a claim in Hancock County, Indiana in 1820, at a time when the only roads were Indian trails.
Before the first settlers, there were a few sparse and transient Indian settlements and animals such as woodland buffalo, mountain lions and deer. The flora was nothing like you see today either. Hancock County was not a prairie–let alone farmland. It was all trees: beech, sugar maple, oak, ash, walnut, elm, buckeye and hickory. Then along came the year 1818 and settlers.
Tyner was one of the hardy pioneers, settling in the county only two years after the first settlers arrived. Records say he was “…the first in the county to give any attention to horticulture, having set out an orchard in the year 1822.”In 1833, Elijah Tyner built the first store. That store became one of the best-known of the time. People traded there from all over the southeastern part of the county, as well as from Shelby and Rush counties. Tyner was well-respected as a businessman, father, neighbor and citizen.
Of the first settlers to Hancock County, historians say it’s “…where industrious and eager families congregated every since.” At Tyner Pond Farm, we are pleased to follow in the footsteps of those industrious and eager folks.
Find out more about our namesake Elijah Tyner.
