As I have mentioned in past columns, one of my favorite parts of my job is getting the chance to meet the people we feature in our stories. In September, on the first day of the harvest season, our photographer, Kiley, and I traveled to Lebanon, Indiana, to take photos of the Michalke family for this month’s feature story. We had beautiful weather, and the Michalkes, especially their children, were fun to photograph. It’s always exciting to get out of the office and see the places mentioned in the story in real life. 

Learning about the Michalkes and their farm left me impressed by how they have diversified their business. As many of our readers know, for a variety of reasons, it’s getting harder to turn a good profit on a family farm. Caleb and his wife, Whitney, are branching out into many different areas to grow their business and keep their fourth-generation family farm successful. The Michalkes are also world travelers, and they are passing that expanded worldview on to their children. It’s something to admire.

In addition to their malt house and heirloom hogs, they have created a roadside market called The Granary, which helps support nearby farms. The Michalkes sell their meats there, while other farms sell items such as popcorn, lavender products, mushrooms, soaps, lotions, and honey.

The Michalke family exemplifies the resilience and innovation essential to today’s agricultural landscape. As many of our readers navigate the challenges of modern farming, they serve as a reminder of the potential for growth and collaboration within the community.