our roots
Stillwater Farm is family owned and operated by myself, my wife and 3 children. I grew up on a farm in central Illinois where I developed a passion for animal husbandry at an early age. The financial impact of the 1980’s (during my formative years) steered me away from pursuing farming on my own and toward a less risky farming lifestyle. I thought about veterinary school or agribusiness, but neither of those options involved significant land and animal stewardship, which I found to be the most important part of farming. When I went to college at 23 years old I was a bit disillusioned with the future of agribusiness. I had a definite preference for the diversified family farm. I ended up pursing a career in medicine in hopes of serving in a rural area and where I would have the opportunity to save for a farm…and then save a farm. My experience in medicine has opened my eyes even further to the impact of how what we eat impacts our health and how we produce that food effects the health and viability of our communities. Stillwater Farm is a work in progress. I feel privileged to be cultivating my goals of operating a farm that upholds my standard of quality and transparency.
Philip Wagenbach (Owner)
Our Vision
Sun + Sod = Good Beef. We believe that healthy soil and perennial pasture is the most efficient, economical and ecological way to feed ruminant livestock. While this may require more land than conventional, we believe it’s important. Conversely, appropriate management actually improves and builds healthy soil. Currently grass/legume finished beef are the centerpiece of our operation but we may expand to include pork and poultry to enhance utilization of our resources.