Upon returning to his home family farm in Vermillion in 2011 Sam shifted emphasis to “eco farming” cultural practices with fresh fruits and vegetable production through Vermillion’s only CSA (Community Support Agriculture) family farm. Knowing the importance of pollinators to our food supply, Sam surrounded the “eco farm produce” with a diverse mix of “pollinator habitat seed” plantings. In 2014 Heikes Family farm received the “National pollinator of the year award” from the prestigious “North American Pollinator protection group” at the USDA in Washington D.C. Since then Sam has been an impassioned pollinator habitat advocate. The Sustainable farm production of the Heikes Family Farm benefits significantly from “Happy Honey Bees” that are not exposed to Ag chemicals, insecticides or fungicides. CSA shareholders receive a share of the raw local honey from the farm as well as abundant fresh local produce.
Sam Now specializes in CRP seed mixes for CP42 pollinator habitat mixes, as well as consulting with production practices and providing hives of honey bees once “CP42” pollinator habitat mixes are established.