From teenager to entrepreneur, Blake Klumpp, 14, has been running his own farmer’s market since he was around 12 years old. Inspired by his father, Mike Klumpp, 40, who approximately farms around 2500 acres, as well as working in real estate with his wife and mother of Blake, Jamie Lynn Klumpp, 40. Blake is not your average teenager and always loved putting himself to work, “I love doing stuff with my hands,” said Klumpp, “just wood shop at my school, building my stand and the deer blind, as well as helping on the farm makes me feel active.”
Not only does Blake like putting himself into work, he always loves helping people. “My mom always tells me I’m an old soul,” said Blake, “that’s a big part of it, is I always love to help people out whenever I can.” With his positive attitude, it has gotten him really involved in the community and has gotten him to meet tons of different people. “I’m in Shepherd’s Chamber of Commerce, Student Council and a couple of clubs where I do things for the community,” said Blake, "because of that I have the opportunity to interact with people that go through different things than I do."
Not only is Blake involved in the community, but he also plays an active role of son and older brother in his family. Every member of the Klumpp family owns a business or more and they all do their best to help one another out. “My sisters share a business, my mom has 2 or 3, and my dad has many,” said Blake, “we are all involved in one another’s business and try to help and give feedback when we can.” With all being entrepreneurs, the Klumpps still have time to go on vacations and enjoy some quality time with one another.
With his family by his side, Blake hopes to one day own a farm of his own harvesting and growing crops. “Farming is in my blood,” said Blake, “its just who I am.” Not only that but being in his own business is very rewarding, Blake enjoys how unique it is and being his own boss. Next year, Blake hopes to start a new business making wood burned signs for people who want them and hopes to have more as he gets older.
Blake Klumpp, 14, packs up his Country Crops Farmer’s Market due to the change in seasons on Nov. 14, 2018 in Shepherd, Michigan. Klumpp build his market when he was 12 years old, but has always been inspired to work hard from his father. “I’ve been, as well as my dad, have always been in the cropping business,” said Klumpp, “it kind of runs in the family and with all his businesses and what he does, makes me want to do the same.”
At the Farmer’s Market, Blake Klumpp, 14, sells a numerous amount of things such as; squash, onions, tomatoes, corn, peppers, eggs, lettuce, and much more. During the winter, his stand is closed due to weather conditions, but it is a hot commodity in Shepherd during the summer.
Blake Klumpp, 14, hops inside the tractor to bring it near the field to prepare harvesting corn for the winter on Dec. 7, 2018 in Shepherd, Michigan. “Corn is much easier in mechanical ways to do,” said Klumpp, “that’s why we harvest during the winter.” They pull a DMI on the tractor that cultivates the ground at a deeper level because of compactions and it’s a better way to open it up.
Blake Klumpp, 14, helps his dad and some. workers on the farm load some hail into a buyer’s truck on Nov. 14, 2018 in Shepherd, Michigan. Blake has always been an old soul when it comes to helping out the community and is involved in numerous clubs that help out around town. “I like helping,” said Klumpp, “it’s just something I do.”
Blake Klumpp, 14, and his family prepare tacos for dinner together on Dec. 6, 2018 in Shepherd, Michigan. With their busy schedule it’s hard to get everyone in the house to hangout, “Blake has football, Kaitlyn is in drama and dance, Kaila and Braielle have dance as well,” said Jamie Klumpp, “so sometimes it’s hard to get us all together, but when we do we have a great time and enjoy it as a family.”
Blake Klumpp, 14, and his dad Mike, 40, walk into their deer blind that they built to put chairs inside, in preparation for hunting season on Nov. 14, 2018 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Blake and his dad took approximately three weeks to but the deer blind together, they plan on eventually, after hunting season making it into a man cave. “Imagine a TV in here, two recliners and a heater to keep yourself warm,” said Mike, “it’ll be a cool little hang out spot for my son and I and maybe some of our friends.”
Blake Klumpp, 14, driving the tractor to the field to open up the ground compactions on Dec. 7, 2018 in Shepherd, Michigan. Blake first rode a tractor when he was one and the first time by himself was when he was six. Blake at his current age, drives the tractor with ease.
Blake Klumpp, 14, helps his sister, Kaila Klumpp, 9, with her math homework on Dec. 6, 2018 in Shepherd, Michigan. Being very involved in one another’s lives, the Klumpp family does their best to make sure everyone is going on the right track. “We go on vacations and run are own businesses and do our best with helping out around the house and with any struggles any one of us have,” said Blake.
Blake Klumpp, 14, helps some workers on the farm load some hail into a buyer’s truck on Nov. 14, 2018 in Shepherd, Michigan. After school, Blake always helps out around the farm as much as he cans and can’t wait to have a farm of his own one day.