Why Shivers Farms?
Seven Generations of Farming, Four Generations on This Land
An Unexpected Journey Back
to Our Roots
We bring generations of real-world farming experience to everything we do. From learning the land as children to raising our own kids the same way, we've lived every season, challenge, and joy that comes with family farming.
An Unexpected Journey
Back to Our Roots
When we started Shivers Farms as a business, it wasn't about filling a gap in the market—it was about sharing what we've always done. For 65 years, this farm has been in our family. For seven generations, we've been farming in Polk County.
But somewhere along the way, we realized that people were hungry for more than just good meat. They wanted to know their farmer. They wanted to see where their food comes from. They wanted their kids to understand that food doesn't just appear in grocery stores—it comes from real families working real land.
We started selling our meat because our community asked us to share what we were already doing for ourselves.
A Real Family Farm
As a family, we work together every single day. Emily handles meat sales and runs our farm store. Ben and Neal manage the livestock and our row crop operation. Carol keeps us all organized with the books and paperwork.
And our three kids?
They're learning the same lessons we learned—how to care for animals, work hard, and respect the land.
Our kids are the 4th generation on this specific farm, but they're actually the 7th generation of Shivers farmers in Polk County. That heritage goes all the way back to 1830 when Reason Pearle homesteaded ground on 56th Street in Pleasant Hill.
Our Mission:
To feed our community the same quality meat we feed our own family, while teaching the next generation to love and respect the farming life.
Our Values:
Family comes first
Quality over quantity, always
Transparency in everything we do
Respect for our animals and land
Supporting our local community
From Birth to Your Table,
Right Here on Our Farm
We solve the problem of not knowing where your food comes from by keeping everything simple: our animals are born here, raised here, and processed locally. No corporate farms, no mysterious supply chains, no wondering about how your meat was raised.
Our Process:
Born on Our Land: Every animal we sell was born right here at Shivers Farms
Raised with Care: Our cattle and hogs live on pasture with room to roam and natural diets
Processed Locally: We work with trusted local processors who share our standards
Sold Directly: From our farm store or through local pickup—no middleman
The Numbers That Matter:
65 years farming this same land
7 generations farming in Polk County
170 laying hens providing fresh eggs daily
900+ families in our customer community
3 kids learning to be the next generation
Growing the
Next Generation of Farmers
Our biggest concern is making sure family farming continues. Every day, we're teaching our kids that this work matters—that feeding people is important, that caring for animals is a responsibility, and that the land deserves respect.
Our Long-term Goals:
Expand our reach to serve more families who want quality meat
Add shipping options so we can help families beyond central Iowa
Continue improving our farming practices
Make sure our kids understand the value of this lifestyle
Keep family farming alive for the next generation
We're different because this isn't a business we started—it's a life we've always lived. We're not trying to be the biggest farm in Iowa. We want to be the farm our community trusts most.
Visit Us in Bondurant
Shivers Farms
10853 NE 64th St
Bondurant, Iowa 50035
We're located just northeast of Bondurant, about 20 minutes from downtown Des Moines. Our farm sits on land that's been in our family for 65 years, in a county where Shivers have been farming since 1830.
We Welcome Visitors!
See our animals up close
Let your kids experience real farm life
Learn about our farming practices
Meet our family
Pick up your meat orders
Gather fresh eggs (when available)
Farm Hours: Check our Facebook page for current visiting hours
We love showing kids around the farm and letting them see where food really comes from. Nothing makes us happier than watching children discover the connection between farming and the food on their table.
— Emily Shivers
"We farm for a living. We take pride in what God has given us. We have no other income but to be farmers of the land. We live off the land. Everything we do, in turn feeds the world and we do this with pride and grace."
Being a 7th generation family farm since the early 1800's in the same county is pretty awesome in itself. I bet it would be hard pressed to find another family farm that has been in the same county for that long. Our kids are the heart and soul of our farm. They are the face and the future of Shivers Farms."
— Emily Shivers
Ready to Join Our Farm Family?
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