Garden Gate Farm - Doug and Beth Rinkenberger

Regenerative Family Farming, Pastured Turkeys

“One of the relationships we value most deeply is the ongoing friendship/business (it goes both ways indeed) that has developed with Garden Gate Farm. Doug and Beth Rinkenberger founded Garden Gate Farm in 2009 after buying a 100 year old dairy farm. Joining with the ad hoc small farmer cooperative “Stewards of the Land.” They soon began growing specialty garden vegetables for Chicago and St. Louis fine dining restaurants.

Doug's full time job was at an animal feed mill. 14 years ago a coworker sold them a large number of turkey chicks. The low start up price allowed Doug to look into poultry meat as a revenue stream. Garden Gate Farm was still in a speculative phase, acting as an incubator (pun intended) for new farm commodities to sustain the farm financially. Committed to improving their land in regenerative and sustainable manner the Rinkenberger's twin daughters took charge the flock of Broad Breasted White turkeys. They raised them on pasture while supplementing the diet with all natural non-GMO, locally grown grain. In 2011 Doug and Beth conscientiously chose their flock, concentrating on the larger Tom Turkeys. Then 17, the twins again pastured the flock, sustainably raising healthy turkeys, again proving that their efforts were financially sustainable.

Carnivore Oak Park opened in late summer 2014. Meeting Doug and Beth previous to opening Brad and Erik decided that Garden Gate Farm would be the turkey supplier. They were trying to wrap our heads around needing one or two large turkeys per week for smoked turkey breast for the deli, then processing the rest as one pound chubs or sausage. We naively thought we would be able to sell about 150 birds each year. Boy were we wrong! That first Thanksgiving over 250 Garden Gate Farm's pasture raised turkeys wound up on dinner tables in our community.

In 2015 Doug left his job at the feed mill to become a full time farmer. Carnivore is incredibly fortunate and proud to have been part of Garden Gate Farm's growth. Today Doug supplies over 400 turkeys a year to Carnivore, mostly during the holiday season. Doug now spends two weekdays on the road – one day delivering to Springfield, St. Louis and Central Illinois – one day delivering to restaurants, hotels, and select grocery stores in the Chicago area. Of course the last stop of the day is Carnivore Oak Park every Tuesday.

Doug and Beth are as committed to improving their land as they are to raising a family in a faith based community that is supportive of stewarding the Earth. Our local community played a part in supporting Doug and Beth's financing a farmhouse and acreage for their daughter Brianna and family. Doug planted over 1,500 heirloom asparagus plants on the land, ensuring that the next generation will provide sustainably raised produce for our community. Doug and Beth have eight grandchildren, and they excitedly let's us know when another is on the way, showing us photos after each grandchild is born. Before the year is out they expect to bring the total to 10 young ones. The Rinkenbergers have been a constant positive influence in all our lives.

We share common commitments, personal passions and deeply held ideals – we've managed to find common cause and look to each other as neighbors – 100 miles apart.

We didn't begin this business operate in a vacuum. Value is found in building relationships with folks like Doug and Beth. We make sure we're as proud to sell their farmed goods as they are in ensuring that everything they grow is done so in the right way. As much as we find value in serving our community and clients – making sure we service and teach when needed – we also recognize only the continued relationships with those that grow the food we choose to eat continues in a supportive manner, for many future generations. While we look at our team, our staff, as valued assets making Carnivore special, we realize that they have developed not just the relationships with our farmers – but become valued members of our local community – becoming friends and comrades with many of our customers.

We come to work each day to supply our community with the best in thoughtfully raised proteins and produce. We look to the future with a commitment to continue to grow and serve for all our communities.”