Finn’s Ranch is certainly a busy place, and his two young sons complete many of the daily chores. Nicholas and Matthew are in charge of feeding and taking care of the chickens, ducks, and pigs and they are responsible for feeding the cows hay during the wintertime. They wake up early in the morning to start their routine and it continues after they get home from school every afternoon. To provide some context to the scope of this job, the Finns will have 600 chickens laying eggs this summer. In addition, they will purchase 100 additional meat birds from a hatchery in Holland every four weeks and raise them for the eight-week time period of time it takes to have them ready for the butcher.
Sean will tell you that he never intended to quit his day job and become a farmer, that it was a natural progression that just sort of “happened.” In fact, he knew very little about farming when he decided to buy that first cow. The ranch is a prime example of “learning by doing” and he credits many fellow farmers and friends he’s met along the way, either at the co-op or local farm supply stores, for helping him figure it all out.
He grew up in the city, but made frequent trips to visit his grandparents in northern Wisconsin where he spent a lot of time playing outside and fell in love with the great outdoors. As a teenager, he picked up hunting as a hobby and joined his brother on hunting trips to central Illinois to visit college friends who lived and farmed in the area. The love for the outdoors is what drew him to Coveney road in Buchanan; in this land he spotted the opportunity to spend his days in the wide-open spaces of the countryside. He laughed as he remembered that when they bought the house, he thought he would, “maybe buy a couple of chickens and a cow or two.” That simple plan has grown into a fully functioning farm with plans for expansion, and the city boy from the South Side of Chicago now spends his days moving cattle and repairing fences—and he wouldn’t trade it for the world.
The family has folded right into the fabric of their newly adopted hometown and many friendships with other Buchanan families were formed through summer nights spent at the ballpark and winter days watching floor hockey at the high school gym. Such is life in a small town, where community sports are the central attraction and connections are formed when cheering for the hometown team. ​
Our tour ended with a visit to the turkey pen, and I returned to the dining room table to chat with Alejandra. Her warm and engaging nature extended my planned trip from one hour to two as I found myself completely enthralled by their transformational story. The couple met as professionals in the flower business where she used to sell him carnations. Originally from Colombia, Alejandra moved to the United States with Sean to start their family and says she can live anywhere. She enjoys the simple pleasures of their new farm life, especially when she can take the time to sip her morning coffee on the back deck and gaze over the green fields that have become her home. Alejandra continues her career as a Buyer for the floral department of a mass-market grocery store company based in Chicago. It’s all about teamwork on the farm, and the Finns have organized their busy schedule to make sure someone is always at home when the boys get off of the bus.
The Finn Family’s passion for this new lifestyle is evident in every aspect of the ranch. The free-range chickens happily roam over the rolling hills, their vibrant feathers adding a touch of color to the otherwise green landscape. Their clucks combine with the crow of the rooster and the quacks of the ducks to provide a continuous barnyard symphony. The fence lines that run the length of the property are well maintained and the cows they house are bright-eyed and muscular. It is clearly a labor of love and a sight to behold. When asked what he enjoys the most about trading in his business suits for flannel shirts, Sean responded that he loves the daily work involved in maintaining the farm and getting to spend his workdays in the fresh air. I can’t say I blame him. Judging by the view from their back deck, it’s hard to imagine how the concrete jungle could ever compare with the tree lined paradise of Coveney Road.

Written By:
Stacey Carlin

Stacey is a wife, realtor, and mother of three. After working and traveling in other areas around the world, she and her husband returned to their hometown in Michigan to raise their children and enjoy the slower pace that small town life provides. She spends her days folding laundry, selling houses, and wiping snotty noses with her shirtsleeves.