OUR 195 YEAR HISTORY

In the early 1800s, our family started laying the foundations for Martin Family Farms by focusing on serving people with high-quality farm commodities, contributing to their community, and using wholesome agricultural practices. A lot has changed since William Martin settled his family in Indiana, but that vision for Martin Family Farms has not. The timeline below provides an overview of our history,  which we proudly continue today by caring for people, the planet, and pigs. 

Today, as fewer and fewer people are engaged in making food, we see the disconnect between the farmer and the consuming public become more expansive. With this division increase, we continue to see a larger and larger sector of our customers interested in knowing and understanding the people who raise their food. To that end, we wanted to return to the roots of Martin Farms to allow interested consumers and customers to look inside all the great things involved in being a tremendous caretaker of livestock and the environment we work in. Telling the real story of why and how we do all the things we do is a great responsibility and opportunity.

  • 1830s

    WILLIAM MARTIN FAMILY SETTLES IN INDIANA FROM OHIO

    The family clears land to grow crops and raise livestock.

  • 1888

    CHARLES MARTIN IS BORN IN CARROLL COUNTY

    Charles becomes an excellent farmer and expands the farm’s operation with additional acres while raising a family of four. Charles lives to the ripe old age of 93 and remains involved in farming operations until his final days.

    1888

  • 1920s

    FRED MARTIN BORN

    The third generation continues the family farming legacy.  Fred and his wife Martha raise five children.

  • 1950s

    1950s

    Martha Rush & Charles Rush working the fields.


    1950s

  • 1950s

    CRAIG & MARK MARTIN BORN

    The 4th generation joins the family farming business. 

  • 1960s

    1960s

    Fred & Martha Martin are preparing dinner together around their table.

    1960s

  • 1970s

    THE 4TH GENERATION JOINS THE FAMILY FARMING BUSINESS

    A spring photograph from the mid-1970s shows the three farm partners—Mark, Fred, and Craig—flourishing, much like most farmers of that era.


  • 1970s

    BRIAN & DAVID MARTIN BORN

    The 5th generation joins the family farming business.

    1970s

  • 1980s

    EXPANSION STARTS

    Craig, Mark, and Fred of Martin Family Farms manage 2,000 acres of corn and soybeans, used to feed their sows and piglets. Together, they produce 12,000 market hogs each year

  • 1993

    FEEDER PIGS ADDED

    David and Brian Martin expands family livestock operation to 1,200 sows, producing 24,000 feeder pigs annually

    1993

  • 1996

    HEADED WEST

    The family livestock expands to 3,200 sows and is relocated to western Indiana

  • 2009

    NORTH FORK ESTABLISHED

    Established North Fork, adding 10,000 sows, a nursery, and a finishing facility.

    2009

  • 2014

    INVESTED IN PORK PROCESSING

    MP3 Farms partners with Clemens Food Group as a supplier of the newly constructed Coldwater, Michigan, processing facility.


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