***Originally published in The Kewanee Voice Summer Adventure Guide 2025
Just north of Kewanee off Route 78 is what Mary Ebert calls “our little corner of paradise.”
When Mark and Mary Ebert first bought their three-acre property—complete with a house and a barn—it was in rough shape.
“We bought it 39 years ago. It was what we could afford,” Mary said. “But the house should have been bulldozed. It’s been a process, but we love it.”
Today, the immaculate house and outbuildings create a picturesque farmstead. Near the road sits a pen holding goats—a passion for both Mark and Mary, but especially for her.
“We love goats. We’ve had goats almost our whole married life,” said Mary.
The couple bought the farm 38 years ago and has been married for 42. For their first Christmas together, Mary asked Mark what he wanted as a gift. His reply? A goat.
It took some effort, but Mary found one and made the purchase. Now, four decades later, that single goat has turned into a herd. The Eberts currently have nine goats, including seven does that give birth each year.
“We had up to 28 goats last summer,” Mary said.
This spring, their new mothers, Dorothy, Violet and LeeAnn delivered 12 kids between the three of them with LeeAnn delivering triplets.
While Mary’s passion lies with goats, for Mark, it’s sheep—though he emphasizes that the sheep are the business side of the hobby farm.
“Sheep are livestock, goats are pets,” he said.
The couple owns five adult ewes, two yearlings, and 12 lambs. This past year, the ewes birthed four sets of triplets and one set of twins.
When the lambs reach five and a half months or about 140 pounds, they are sold for meat. Bottle-fed lambs, however, have a good chance of sticking around, Mark said.
Each year, they retain a few female sheep and goats based on quality and temperament.
“As we get older, we want animals that are easier to handle,” Mark said.
Mary grew up on a farm, but Mark was raised farm-adjacent. Though not a farm boy himself, he lived on the outskirts of Mokena near Joliet. He and his brother showed cattle for 4-H, but when he went to college, he initially pursued math and science—subjects he excelled in.
Then, a friend invited him to a livestock judging contest, sparking his interest in agriculture. He quickly switched majors, joined a judging team, and after college worked with different cattle herds—including at Shallowbrook Farm in Bradford. Around that time, Mary’s brother introduced the two.
After marrying, Mark worked in grain elevator management and sold seed.
“So it’s always been agriculture of some sort,” said Mark.
Did it seem like the perfect match—a farm girl and an agriculture major?
“It does now,” Mary said with a smile.
This past year, Mark faced some health challenges, prompting Mary to take on the lion’s share of farm chores.
“I’ve learned a lot. I’ve gotten stronger,” she said. “I’ve grown because Mark’s been a good teacher.”
In addition to their livestock, the couple maintains a large garden, growing tomatoes, peppers, asparagus, green beans, rhubarb, zucchini, cucumbers, radishes and onions to eat and sell. Their fruit trees produce apples, and they also cultivate grapes, raspberries, and blueberries—ingredients Mary uses in her baked goods.
Mary learned to bake from her mother, who cooked for a large family and farm workers. Today, Mary is well known for her pies, cookies and cinnamon rolls.
For years, the couple sold their produce at farmers’ markets. But when COVID hit, they stopped attending. A friend suggested they sell from home, leading to the creation of Ebert Family Farm Market. Alongside fresh produce, Mary’s best-selling baked goods include strawberry-rhubarb pies, thumbprint cookies and packing house rolls.
On many Saturdays, they set up tables in their garage. Their Facebook page announces opening days and hours, usually 8–11 a.m.
“People can check Facebook to see if we’re open that day and also preorder,” said Mary.
Both Eberts are now retired—Mark semi-retired and still selling seeds, while Mary, a retired high school teacher, keeps busy with farm life.
Mark recalled a visitor once remarking, “It’s so quiet all the time, how can you stand it?”
His response?
“That’s the reason we love it.”
