Wieneke, Robert Joseph.

Born on Sept. 14th, 1961 in Hardin Ill., and grew up on the family's 80 acre farm, an apple orchard in rural Calhoun County, near Brussels, Ill. Bobby is the fifth generation to farm the land, his great-great grandfather emigrating to the region from Hanover, Germany in the mid 19th century. Bobby discussed how the farm evolved as it passed from generation to generation. The interview took place at his father, Leroy's, home, the same farm house and barn in use by the family since the 1800s. When the local apple market began to diminish in the 1990s due to the availability of fruit from large operations, Leroy and Bobby elected to switch from apples to peaches. In recent years, Bobby added several varieties of wine grapes as well. At the time of the interview, the family has several acres of peaches, (multiple varieties which allows for a staggered harvest), as well as several varieties of grapes. Bobby spoke in detail about his plans for the future. He is renovating an historic old home he recently purchased, and intends to market his own wine, including peach wine, from the renovated building.