There are nearly 100 dairy cows at Book ’ s Dairy and Produce in Borden .
SOUTHERN INDIANA - It ’ s a special touch .
That ’ s the difference between the big box stores and businesses that have been in Southern Indiana families for years .
Anyone who shops at local grocery stores has the chance to buy a cabbage , cucumber , squash , pepper , pumpkin , eggplant or tomato from Book ’ s Farm and Dairy in Borden .
“ My dad took it over from his dad , and that dad took it over from another dad ,” said James Book . “ It ’ s at least five generations .”
There ’ s something special about being able to provide food to local restaurants and supermarkets . James Book said they use a distributor in Louisville to get the products placed across the region .
“ We ’ re just so big , we can ’ t get much bigger ,” James Book said . “ The land costs too much to get bigger and we ’ re at a pace where we can take care of ourselves .” He said local kids help pick the product . “ It ’ s one way kids can learn what goes on on a farm ,” he said . “... The kids we hired a long time ago , they ’ re now wanting their kids to work this farm under ( our sons ) Tim and Oliver , so they have experience , just like they do .”
Tim and Oliver Book recently received the Next Generation farming award from the Clark County 4H Fair .
50 SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2022