We are Tom and Patrice Hein, owners of Elk River Farm

We met in the entomology lab. We both had a thing for members of the insect order, Coleoptera – the beetles. We were astounded by the variability in color, size and wacky-looking appendages.

One thing led to another…

We spent the next 40 years exploring far and wide not only for fascinating beetles, but also for butterflies and moths, birds and bats, fossils and fungi, skinks and spiders, you get the idea.

Along the way, we’ve always loved to grow things. We both grew up with parents who garden, so it was only natural, that we too, would garden. Finally, we have a piece of Earth that allows us to grow a really big garden.

We found this beautiful farm in 2013 and are enjoying the adventure of maintaining and improving it for wildlife and for food production.

We grow vegetables, greens, herbs, and fruits to sell in the Wichita and Elk County, Kansas area.