Paschen Farms Inc.

From homesteading in the early 1900s to pork production today, the Paschen family has deep ties in agriculture. Matt Paschen represents the fifth generation on the family farm near Logansport, Indiana, in Cass County. He points out that when his ancestors first cleared the land, they had cows, pigs, and chickens to live off the land. Allen Paschen, Matt’s father and the fourth generation on the farm, points out how generations of their family have seen agriculture advance from horse-drawn plows to today’s GPS guided tractors and high tech hog buildings.

“We are one of two independent pork operations left in the county,” Matt says, noting they are the only independent farrow to finish style of production with their 350 sows, raising the pigs to market size. They sell over 6,000 hogs annually, plus market beef and row crops.

Along with the animals, Paschen Farms raises seed soybeans for Stine Seed Company. This means this farm family raises the soybeans that are then prepared by Stine to sell to other farmers. “Diversification has saved our farm more than once,” Matt reflects, citing that the grain income helps as livestock markets fluctuate. “We are always looking to add value, like getting a premium for the seed beans, and for 30 years we also raised gilts as breeding stock for various ag companies,” Allen adds.

Three generations of the family are active on the farm, with Matt and Jessica working alongside Allen and Jeanna, Matt’s mom, as well grandfather Bob Paschen. The family members, along with three employees, divide and conquer to handle the many duties of running the operation. “Mom and Jessica make us lunch every day, and as we eat, we talk through how things are going and what needs to happen next,” Matt says. Communication is key, and Allen says they divide work by each person’s strengths and preferences. “For example, Matt and Jessica have taken over the IT side of things, and Grandpa still enjoys feeding the cattle,” he says.

It is interesting to note that farming wasn’t originally part of Matt’s career plans. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Entomology from Purdue and has finished all but his dissertation for his PhD focused on forest and chemical ecology. “I came to a point in life when I realized I wanted to raise my family on the farm, so this became the path,” Matt says as he and wife Jessica have three daughters Annemarie (8), Magnolia (6) and Caroline (4),

The Paschens are proud of their independent status, meaning they can control what they produce. “We made the decision to stay independent, paying as we go and not having a lot of borrowed capital,” Allen says.

They sell their pigs to Tyson in Logansport and sell both freezer beef and pork out of local locker plants, along with selling at the Logansport Farmers Market. As part of their operation, the family is focused on sustainability. They use metrics provided by the National Pork Board to monitor progress. “We take care of the land as we want it to be around for the future generations,” Matt says. “Of course, caring for and having healthy animals is important.”

Animal comfort and care is a focus, with technology helping along the way. “It is just a little ironic that while we heat our house with wood, the hog barns are climate controlled with the latest technology to ensure the temperature stays constant and comfortable,” Allen says.

Serving their community and industry is another way the farm makes a positive impact. Matt serves on the Indiana Pork Producers Board of Directors and is the chairperson for Industry Promotion. The farm makes donations to local food pantries and enjoys proving pork for local Lion’s Clubs as well as FFA organizations and even local cheerleading groups who sell pork burgers for fundraisers. “We like to use what we raise to help people,” Matt says. A long-time member of Cass County Pork Producers, Allen helps serve three tons of pork at the Cass County Fair each year.

The Paschens enjoy producing quality products from start to finish, saying there is great satisfaction in marketing a product you have raised. Allen especially likes harvest time when you can see the end product of a year’s work. “You have to be all in, and it certainly is not a 9 to 5 job,” Matt says, “This lifestyle is in our blood.”

Robert was a 10-year 4-Her as were all the Paschen children, with fond memories of the Indiana State Fair including livestock shows and 4-H Fashion Revue with their daughter. Opening day at the Indiana State Fair is special for Matt who attends the early morning Ham Breakfast each year, and the family looks forward to sharing their story during the 2024 Indiana State Fair.