A Legacy Rooted in Kane County: Honoring Mike Kenyon and 144 Years of Family Farming

For more than 144 years, the Kenyon family has been part of the fabric of Kane County, growing food, producing milk, supporting local families and helping shape the agricultural community. On Nov. 10, the Kane County Board recognized that remarkable legacy with a proclamation honoring Michael (Mike) Kenyon, his family and their longtime farming business.

The Kenyon family's roots in Kane County go back even further, to the early 1840s, when the family first acquired land through a government patent. Farming in South Elgin began in 1882 with the establishment of Kenyon Stock Farm. In 1906, the family expanded its agricultural legacy with the Kenyon Brothers Company, Breeders and Dealers of Dairy Cattle.

Over the generations, the Kenyon name has become woven into the community, with a road, a school and a forest preserve bearing the family name.

Mike Kenyon has carried that tradition well beyond the farm. A respected voice for agriculture, he served 10 years as District 1 Director of the Illinois Farm Bureau and held numerous leadership positions with the Kane County Farm Bureau, including president, treasurer and board member. His contributions to the farming industry were recognized in 2014 when Prairie Farmer magazine named him a Master Farmer.

Giving back has also been a family tradition. Mike and his family have supported local food pantries, including the Northern Illinois Food Bank, and organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Elgin and Elgin through donations of money, dairy products, sweet corn, pumpkins and honey. They have also brought their dairy cows to community events, schools and local attractions, giving children and families an opportunity to learn firsthand about dairy farming.

Closer to home, Kenyon served 20 years on the Kane County Board as the District 16 representative. During that time, he was a strong advocate for his community, the agricultural industry and veterans. Colleagues came to appreciate his thoughtful perspective, knowledge of farming and ability to bring a discussion into focus with a well-timed, often memorable observation.

​The proclamation recognizes not only the Kenyon family's 144 years of farming, but also its lasting contributions to agriculture, community service and the people of Kane County.