Jeff Anderson (Iroquois Valley Board Member) and Tyler Tindall are the team behind A & T Organic Farms, a large-scale organic row crop operation in northern Illinois. Tyler represents the seventh generation of one of the region’s oldest farming families, with roots in the area dating back to 1843. Jeff grew up on his father’s 300-acre farm, which transitioned to organic in 1998 to grow corn for cattle. Jeff took over management in 2012 while balancing an off-farm job at Navistar, and by 2015, he had assumed full responsibility for the family’s operation. 

Two years later, a chance encounter changed everything. After a post-Thanksgiving potluck where Jeff shared his excitement about organic farming, Tyler joined the operation in 2017. Together they’ve expanded A&T Organic Farms into a 6,000-acre enterprise—nearly 900 acres of which are financed in partnership with Iroquois Valley—positioning them at the forefront of organic agriculture.

Technology plays a central role in their approach. During planting season, tractors run on state-of-the-art computer systems designed by the team—though Jeff and Tyler still sit in the cabs to oversee operations firsthand. Weed control is achieved with tine weeders and row-crop cultivators, while fertility is managed with chicken litter and composted yard waste.

Their work extends beyond production as well. As Cornelius seed dealers, they conduct seed trials on their acres: for corn, testing varieties to extend the growing season and boost ear size; for soybeans, experimenting with flavor profiles and food-grade traits. Much of their grain ends up in consumer favorites like corn chips, tortillas, and even tofu, reaching markets from California to Japan.

Family remains central to their story. Jeff and his wife, Katherine, live in North Aurora with their three children, while Tyler and his wife, Kristen, raise their three kids in Sycamore.

For Jeff, the motivation is clear: “You gotta love the challenge of getting better and better every year.”