ABOVE: The Wise family poses for a picture on top of a tractor at the farm. INSET: An early picture of the Wise family, with Chris Wise’s grandfather Clark Wise second from left; he went on to farm later.
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The newest additions to The News-Gazette’s Farm Family of the Week honorees are quite knowledgeable about farming — in fact, it runs in their genes. The Wise family are now raising the potential sixth-generation of growers on the centennial farm.
How long has your family been farming?
I (Chris Wise) began farming in 1977. My nephew, Jake Wise, joined me in 2020.
Where is your farm operation?
South Champaign, west of Savoy.
An early picture of the Wise family with Chris Wise’s grandfather Clark Wise second from the left who went on to farm later.
How and why did your family come to this area, and where did they come from?
My great-grandfather, Christian Wise, came from Mannheim, Germany, and originally settled in Ohio. He moved to Champaign County in 1886 and settled northwest of Bondville. His wife, Florence, was a teacher from Peoria and wanted their children to be educated past the eighth grade. They moved to the current farm location south of Champaign in 1899 for the Champaign schools. We are proud of our centennial farm.
What does your farming operation consist of? Is it strictly a grain operation, livestock or other?
In the earlier years, Wise Farm was a diversified operation with livestock and grain production. In 1927, a new dairy, livestock and horse barn was constructed to replace the older barn. The 1927 barn still stands, but today’s focus is on corn and soybean production.
How many people in the family does the operation support?
There are two families involved in the farming operation today. Chris and Vicki Wise with their nephew Jacob and Beth Wise. Jacob has two sons, Luke and Liam.
From left, Craig, Jake and Chris Wise pose in front of the family farm’s semi truck
How many generations of farmers are there?
Luke and Liam Wise will be the sixth generation of Wises farming in the Champaign area. We hope, because Luke is four years old and Liam is six years old.
Do you have any members of the family in the farm operation also working other jobs?
Jacob’s wife, Beth, is a CPA who works for Inspire Brands. Chris’ wife, Vicki, is a retired CPA who now drives the auger cart for the harvest. Many family members have supported us through the years as needed.
The Wises collectively farm more than 2,300 acres fit for soybeans and corn.
How have you seen farming change over the years?
In 1899, the farm consisted of 160 owned acres. Times have changed, and now the farm is 2,300 acres of leased and owned land. This growth in size has been made possible by the ever-increasing size of farm machinery and herbicides to control competing vegetation. The last 20 years, farm information technology has made the machinery even more efficient. Jacob is in charge of the IT department on the farm.
How has Jacob helped the shift to advanced technology?
Jacob is younger and more experienced with new tech. He handles all the IT, as he is more adept at IT. He does a great job in an area Chris was not as up to date.
From right, Chris, Jake and Luke Wise represent the 4th, 5th and 6th generation of farmers.
Your farm equipment: Green (John Deere), Red (Case IH) or other?
Our two tool sheds are a rainbow of equipment colors. The older tractors are Oliver and White. The newer tractors are Versailles, while the combines and planters are John Deere. Tillage tools are Case IH and Krause. We have Kinze auger carts.
What makes farming such a good vocation?
The Wise family has always had a love of the outdoors. Farming has enabled us to connect with the environment on a daily basis. Part of this love of the outdoors involves being good stewards of the land.
What soil conservation practices do you employ on your farm?
A significant portion of Wise Farms includes erosion-prone fields. These fields have been no-till for over 30 years to ensure that soil resources are there for the next generation.
A significant portion of the Wises’ fields are at risk of erosion, so they haven’t tilled the land in 30 years to preserve what resources they have.
If you could change one thing about farming, what would it be?
The capital costs to enter and continue in agriculture are very high. Without a connected entry, I don’t know how a person would ever be able to start farming. Land, which is the scarcest resource, is very expensive to lease or buy.
What’s the best time of year to be on the farm?
Currently, Wise Farms is involved in planting this year’s corn and soybeans. Harvest is the best time on the farm. It lasts a bit longer than spring planting, but it is the end result of a year of planning and work.
What are other areas of interest for your family?
I have always had a love of trees and forest. My bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois is in forest science. During my college years, I worked as a lumberjack and at a small sawmill in the upper peninsula of Michigan for eight summers. My brother and I bought 80 acres of forest property in the region, and I go there every summer to do woodwork.
Chris Wise spends summers in the upper peninsula of Michigan wood working. He graduated from the UI with a degree in forest science and worked as a lumberjack in the past.
