Dickey Farms Offering Beef and Beyond

By Cindy Ladage

Dave Dickey started farming full-time in 2018. “I took over from my Uncle Dean,” Dave shared. Before farming, Dave had worked in the telecommunications field and when Dean fell ill, he started helping, and decided farming was his career calling. Over the years, under Dave’s guidance, Dickey Farms has diversified. We raise corn, soybeans,
wheat, and sell hay, straw and beef.”

They added cattle as recently as before the Pandemic. “We started with five cows and now have a herd of 34 cows and two bulls,” Dave shared.

At Dickey Farms they raise Black Angus, and Black Angus Cross, which they selected because of its high-quality meat and good marbling. “Last year was the first year we sold meat to the public,” Dave said. Prior to that, he began offering beef in whole, halves and quarters to friends and family and now includes acquaintances, and friends
of friends, growing his network. He hopes to expand the herd and business in the future, working especially with individuals.

Dave said that his former career in communications is helpful when it comes to sales because he is a friendly guy and enjoys interacting with others. “I enjoy talking to people,” he shared and is excited about expanding and meeting more potential clients along the way.

While diversifying has been a great way to bring in more income, it is a lot of work.  “Livestock is a seven day a week job,” he said.

How much beef he has to offer depends on the availability of his cow herd. He runs a cow/calf operation keeping the cows and selling off the calves. He sees all phases, breeding, stock, feeding out to market. They are raised with an eye to a healthy, happy animal. “Our job is to make sure they are as happy and healthy as they can be. I want to
be a good steward.”

Besides beef cattle, he also has hay available. “We grow and sell alfalfa hay.”

While hay is currently available, they are out of straw until the next crop but will take orders ahead.

Dave is a family man. He and his wife Ashley, who is an art professor at Lincoln Land have two children, Liam eleven, and Lucille eight. While closer to Pawnee, they have a Rochester address and are in the Chatham school district. An active member of the Chatham Jaycees, Dave also works with planning the annual Sweet Corn Festival.

Raised in the country, as a youth, Dave had sheep, but raising livestock was a new farming addition for him and it has been a learning experience. “Every year I learn the best way to advertise and run the business; I had never been in sales.”

While Dickey Farms is located on Sangchris Road, the Dickey family is part of the Pawnee community. “Pawnee is ingrained in our DNA.”

Years ago, Dave and Claris Dickey opened D & D Sales, a feed and lawn and garden store that was open for many years. Dave Dickey, Dave Sr.’s grandson is part of a long legacy of family members active in the Pawnee community including his father Dennis, Uncles Dave, Ron, the late Dean Dickey, and Steve. Nancy Oliver, his aunt, has long been an active member in the Pawnee community, especially with her work with the Pawnee Food Pantry. Family roots run deep.

For questions about Dickey Farms and their products, reach out to Dave at 217-553-8729 by phone, Dickey Farms on Facebook, or email him at daviddickey55@comcast.net.