For 75-year-old Dave Copple, farming isn’t just an occupation — it’s a legacy. His family’s farm, located on Route 116 between Hanna City and Trivoli, has been in the family for 77 years. Originally a 200-acre farm, it was purchased in 1948 by Dave’s grandfather from a Peoria dentist for $300 an acre — a price that’s hard to imagine today, with land in the area selling for $11,000–$17,000 per acre.
The farm once bustled with hogs, dairy cattle, and sheep, but today, the only livestock are a few barn cats on mouse duty. Dave and his son now focus on hay production, growing alfalfa and orchard grass for horse customers across Peoria, Kewanee, and Galesburg. Customers appreciate the smaller, easier-to-handle 45–50 lb. square bales ($5–$8 each), though Dave also produces 1,500–1,600 lb. round bales for livestock.
If Dave could teach the public one thing about farming, it would be the dedication it takes to keep a farm neat and functional: mowing, cutting weeds, painting, and keeping buildings in shape — morning and night, seven days a week. “It’s not as easy as people think,” Dave says.
Before retiring, Dave worked for FS, selling feed, seed, and fertilizer to livestock producers across six counties — from Alpha to Lincoln. He’s a lifelong note-keeper, recording planting and harvest dates, purchases, and contacts in a small memo notebook. Outside of farming, Dave’s hobbies include collecting and selling farm toys, attending toy shows, and researching his family genealogy.
From the days of his father farming for the Wilkins family in 1948 to today’s modern hay and row crop operation, Dave Copple’s story is one of hard work, stewardship, and passion for agriculture — a living reminder that farms aren’t just fields and barns, but family legacies.
About The Farmer Spotlight:
The Farmer Spotlight is an initiative to highlight the stories and educational efforts of local farmers. Through interviews and feature articles, we’ll showcase the knowledge, passion, and daily work that define agriculture in Peoria County.
The goal is to connect the community with the people behind the food to promote the educational side of farming through school involvement, on-farm learning, or simply sharing day-to-day experiences.
We’re looking for candidates to participate in this program. To be eligible, you must be a Peoria County Farm Bureau member. If you’re interested in sharing your story and helping others understand agriculture, we’d love to hear from you!