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Tammen Family Wins 2026 Conservation Farm Family Award

The Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District is proud to announce that the

Tammen Family will receive the SWCD’s 2026 Conservation Farm Family Award.

Tammen Treeberry Farm is operated by Bruce and Becky Tammen of Wilmington,

Illinois. The farm offers customers the opportunity to pick their own blueberries and

choose and cut Christmas trees.

Bruce’s father, Lorenz Tammen, began planting Christmas trees in the 1950s to utilize

unproductive blow sand soil. In 1964, he expanded his operation by planting blueberries

in the low, more acidic areas of the farm. Bruce took over the operation of the farm from

Lorenz in the 1990s. Today, Bruce and Becky Tammen operate the farm with help from

their three children Sarah, Matthew, and Hannah and many grandchildren. The farm

employs two permanent, full-time workers and an average of 28 employees during peak

seasons.

Bruce handles the bookkeeping and operation of the farm and Becky manages their

staff. Blueberry season occurs around early to mid-July. Christmas tree season starts

the day after Thanksgiving. Both crops are heavily dependent on the weather each year.

It can take anywhere from six to eleven years for the trees to be mature enough to sell.

In addition to the blueberry and Christmas tree crops, the farm offers local honey, jams,

salsas, syrups, and specialty coffees for sale. They also participate in local farmers

markets.

Many families visit Tammen Treeberry Farm year after year, and Bruce and Becky

recognize the familiar faces. They have enjoyed hosting youth groups, park district

functions, and senior groups over the years. “A lot of pictures from this farm are in

people’s family albums,” remarked Becky Tammen.

The SWCD will host a tour of Tammen Treeberry Farm on Wednesday, June 24 th, 2026.

The tour will begin at 9 am and lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to the District

Office at (815)462-3106 x 3 by 6/18 if you are interested in attending. The Tammen

Family will also be honored at the Will-South Cook SWCD Annual Recognition Dinner

on Thursday, July 23rd , 2026.


 
 

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1201 S. Gougar Rd

New Lenox, IL 60451

Phone +1 815.462.3106 x3

info@will-scookswcd.org

© 2022 Will/South Cook Soil & Water Conservation District

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