Who We Are
We are the faces behind Section 32 Farms - Joe and Danielle Devota. Joe has been helping out on his family’s small farm in Chesaning, Michigan since he was young. Danielle didn’t grow up anywhere near a farm and knew nothing about it. Period. Once we got married, we started growing a dream of having our own farm, raising our family around it, and doing things our own way.
The farm operated traditionally for a long time, meaning we grew cash crops such as corn and soybeans. As we assumed more management of the farm, we took a good look at what was important to us and what we wanted the farm to be. We realized our existing model was not what we wanted. With this in mind, we started converting our ground into pastureland, using methods called rotational grazing and holistic management. Basically this means using practices that are beneficial to nature - the soil, the animals, and the environment. Our pasture is never treated with chemicals. You could call our style of farming grass farming.
Our goal is to eventually convert the entire farm into a natural, healthier system, creating an ecosystem where every thing we do serves more than one purpose. In 2024, we are raising grass-fed and finished beef, pasture-raised chicken, and pasture-raised pork.
Our Vision
To nurture a family-minded farm, developing every acre, animal, plant, and product in sustainable ways. The farm will provide healthier alternatives, and we will use it as an opportunity to educate others.
Our Values
Our values are represented in four distinct but interconnected areas:
Family: To create a legacy for our family, both present and future, and cultivate their talents and dreams through their connection to the farm.
Education: To educate our family, friends, and community members on what sustainable agriculture truly means and to help them realize a healthier lifestyle.
Sustainability: To develop and sustain an economical and environmentally sound farm.
Creativity: To capture the potential of every acre of land and try new farming ventures based on the needs of our consumers.
Our Name
What’s with the name? Why not Devota Farms? Like we said, we like doing things our own way. Since our farm is non-traditional, we wanted a name that was unique and meaningful. A big portion of the ground we currently farm has been in the Devota family for over 100 years. As we started looking at the land’s abstract of title and tracing how that piece of land eventually came to the family, we saw it recorded as “The Southeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section Thirty-two”. Something about “Section 32” made us stop and look at each other. And in our world, that’s always a sure sign of a winner.