About Johnson's Farm & Market

Prophetstown, Illinois

We are small family farmers located in Northwestern Illinois operating our two family farms for the past 28 years. The two farms that make up our operation were started by our grandfathers and great-great grandfathers and we are dedicated to keeping them in the family.

Pork and grain production have been the foundation of the farms for generations. Grandpa Johnson raised pure-bred, award-winning Duroc hogs and we want to continue the tradition of quality. Our focus has become producing high-quality pork for our own consumption and to sell to friends and family, leading us to raise pure-bred Berkshires for the quality and incredible flavor of their meat. We then expanded to raising a few Angus-cross cattle for our own beef and most recently started raising chickens for quality meat and laying hens for pasture-raised eggs. Our chickens are raised on organic feed and all of our livestock are raised without hormones or regular antibiotics.

With the increasing interest in purchasing good quality, local, farm-raised meats we decided the next step was an on-farm meat market, expanding our production to provide local customers with high-quality, affordable meat and eggs. Our focus remains on raising quality meats and products in the tradition of our grandfathers.

PorkProducts found: 2

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Buy local pork online from farmers and butcher shops near you

ChopLocal is incredibly proud to partner with pork farms near you! We offer pork from a network of farms and small butcher shops across the country.

When you buy local pork, you're supporting local farmers and small businesses, and we thank you! Your supoort helps stimulate rural economies and create healthy communities.

Buying direct from a farmer also allows you to have all of your questions answered. Wondering how the pigs were raised? You can ask! Wondering what they were fed? You can ask that, too!

Many of the farms on ChopLocal raise heritage breeds (like Duroc, Mangalitsa and Berkshire), which often leads to higher quality, more flavorful meat than what is available at the commercial level.

Most Popular Cuts of Pork

1. Pork Chop

Cooking Methods: Pork chops are versatile and can be cooked in several ways. They can be grilled, pan-fried, baked, or even broiled. They can be marinated for flavor or seasoned with herbs and spices.

2. Pork Tenderloin

Cooking Methods: Pork tenderloin is a lean and tender cut. It's excellent for roasting, grilling, or pan-searing. It can be marinated or seasoned before cooking. Because it's lean, be careful not to overcook it to keep it tender and juicy.

3. Pork Loin Roast

Cooking Methods: Pork loin roast is a larger cut and is great for roasting. It can be seasoned with herbs, spices, and a rub. Slow roasting at a lower temperature helps keep it juicy.

4. Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt

Cooking Methods: This cut is known for its richness and flavor. It's often used for slow-cooking methods like braising, roasting, or smoking. It's perfect for pulled pork. A slow cooker or an oven set to a low temperature works well for this cut.

5. Spareribs and Baby Back Ribs

Cooking Methods: Ribs are typically cooked using slow and low methods like grilling, smoking, or baking. They can be pre-seasoned with a rub and then cooked over indirect heat. A final glaze of barbecue sauce is a popular finish.

Interesting Facts about Pork

1. Pork is the world's most-consumed meat!
2. Pork is full of nutrients, including protein, vitamins (including B-vitamins like B12 and niacin) and minerals including iron, zinc and phosphorus.
3. Pork can be leaner than you think! The loin and tenderloin are relatively low in fat.
4. Pork does not have to be cooked "well-done." Cook pork to 145°F for juicy, succulent pork!

Where to find a Whole Hog

Whole hogs for roasting can be hard to find, and we do not have any currently available on ChopLocal.

However, if you want to buy a whole or half hog, processed for your family's freezer, we encourage you to check out the hog farms on ChopLocal, and send them a message. You can also refer to this blog post about buying a whole hog.