Who is the JK Family Farm

JK Family Farm, LLC was founded in 1994 by Father and Son, John and Joe Knott. Since we shared the initials “JK,” naming the farm felt natural. Our 80-acre property carries deep Wisconsin history—it was owned by the Holcomb family dating back to 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state.  

Our Mission was created:  To steward our land with integrity, cultivate sustainable forest products, and grow organic crops that support healthy communities and a thriving environment.

Our History at a Glance

1848 — Holcomb family establishes ownership of the land

1994 — JK Family Farm, LLC is founded by John & Joe Knott.  1947 JD MT “Popper” tractor was critical to support the initial tree preparation of 30 acres of the 80-acre farm.   

1994–1997 — 30,000 new trees planted; property enrolled in the MFL program.  John and Carol Knott and Joe and Bonnie Knott planted the trees by shovel and hand, as well as rented the DNR tree planter.  1948 Ford 8N tractor purchased to help work the land.  Extended Family, friends, and neighbors support the development of the farm.  Hard work done by all and very appreciated to this day.

2000 — The family homesteads the land; home and barn built.  1974 JD 830 tractor purchased to further help plant trees and provide trail maintenance.  The “Ranch” was created.  

2000–2015 Forest development expands; trail system established.  MFL tree harvesting is executed with the DNR and local Forest management companies.  10,000 more trees were planted to fill in areas due to drought.  Pumpkin, sunflower, and sorghum planting is executed to develop annual sales of farm products.

2016–Present — Hemp and pumpkin find their niche, and product development increased the product offering for farm sales.  All local, state, and federal guidelines, rules, and licensing are followed.  The forest reaches 100,000+ trees and continues to be maintained, and remains healthy.

Today Core family:   Emily, Sarah, Bonnie, and Joe continue to grow, manage, and improve the farm.  The forest and access trails continue to be maintained, the homestead supported and nurtured, and the hemp and pumpkin products grown, harvested, prepared, and sold.

Growing a Sustainable Legacy

In the first two years, John, Carol, Bonnie, and I planted 30,000 trees, supporting the existing 70,000-tree woodland already thriving on the land.
To ensure responsible long-term care, we enrolled the property in Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law (MFL) program.

We are grateful for the ongoing guidance and support from:

  • Wisconsin DNR

  • Georgia-Pacific

  • Domtar

  • Bell Lumber & Pole

Extended family, neighbors, and friends have also played a meaningful role in helping us shape and care for the farm over the decades.

Maintaining the Land

The property includes three miles of maintained forest trails, allowing access for the DNR and our Bell Lumber & Pole forester to monitor forest health and ensure compliance with our MFL management plan.

Thank You for Visiting

We hope you find our website informative and inspiring.
If you’d like to support our work or purchase our products, please reach out—we’d love to hear from you.

Your support helps us continue growing, thriving, and preserving JK Family Farm, LLC for generations to come.

Establishing Our Home

In 2000, we officially homesteaded the land, building our home and barn on the 3 non-MFL acres. From here, we maintain the farm year-round and steward the forest with care and intention.

Family-Driven Growth

Today, our family—Emily, Sarah, Bonnie, and I—continue the work of tending and expanding our 100,000-tree sustainable forest.

What We Produce

Our managed forest supports:

  • Round wood poles for utility and telecommunications

  • Engineered timber used in modern construction, including eco-friendly high-rise buildings

Our organic crops sell as:

  • Organic Pumpkins for sale each year.  2000 plants were planted, and we are a member of the WI Giant Pumpkin Growers Association.

  • Organic hemp is grown under the state and federal licensing program.  Products produced with our vendor, “Partnered Products,” using our hemp showcase the quality and care we put into everything we harvest.

  • Naturally Organic Maple Syrup is harvested from our Maple trees and is processed over a wood-fired stove.