Josh Ponder, owner and operator of Ponder Farms, Inc. is a fourth generation farmer. He has a degree in business management with a minor in economics from Eastern Illinois University. Josh currently serves on the board of directors for First State Bank, Top Flight Grain, United Prairie, LLC, and Friendship Hill Retirement Center. Josh's wife, Becky has a degree in graphic design from Illinois State University and is the Director of Communications for the University of Illinois School of Social Work. She also operates her own freelance graphic design business. They have two children.
Ponder Farms, Inc. has a dedicated group of people who help make our farm a success. We consider each of them a part of our family and we are thankful for their commitment.
Meet our team:
Payton Messmore
Payton is employed full-time and assists in maintenance, machinery operation, grain delivery and chemical application. He brings knowledge from his own family farm and has an interest in raising cattle. Payton joined the farm in 2011.
Mike Ferguson
Mike is a valuable business associate and local land owner. He began to assist full-time in 2009 after his retirement from Caterpillar, Inc. Mike brings a life-time of farming experience to our operation.
Mikie Stirrett
Mikie is employed by Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company and was also raised on a family farm. He seasonly assists with machinery operation and grain delivery.
Jack Messmore
Jack joins us each Fall to help in a variety of ways. Primarily, he assists by operating the grain cart during the harvest season.