Born on May 18, 1972 in Belleville, Ill., and grew up in nearby Millstadt. His grandfather Kurt, father Lary and uncle Jim operated Eckert's Orchards and later Eckert's, Incorporated in Belleville, Grafton and Millstadt: apple and peach orchards and a roadside stand that evolved into a grocery store, restaurant and pick-your-own operation, catering to families in the metro-St. Louis area. Chris grew up knowing that the family business would be his future as well. He discussed family celebrations and the evolution of the family business through seven generations. Chris studied agriculture economics at the University of Illinois, graduating in 1994, then spent two years away from the business (a family tradition) before returning. He married Angie Boeker in 1995. His father and uncles recently turned over the role of president to Chris. The business today includes a country store, garden center, a peach wholesale business, restaurant, bakery, deli and wine cellar along with the pick-your-own operation. Chris considers his business to be as much about entertainment, catering to families as it is agriculture. It employs 100 people full-time, and in the peak peach harvesting and pick-your-own season in the late summer and fall, has as many as 400 employees. One hundred of these are migrant workers from Mexico, in America on H-2A agricultural visas, a temporary visa for non-residents.
From the description of An interview with Chris Eckert / Chris Eckert ; Mark DePue, interviewer. 2008. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 277052377
