Harr Family Farms Celebrates 100 Years at Soulard Farmers Market
For a century, the Harr family has been providing the St. Louis community with fresh, locally grown produce, meats, and other goods from their farm near Millstadt, Illinois. And now, they are marking their centennial anniversary at the iconic Soulard Farmers Market.
On Saturday, July 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Harr family invites everyone to join them at stand #13-17 in the northeast wing of Soulard Farmers Market. “We are proud to have been partners with the market for so many years,” said Bryan Harr, the current owner of Harr Family Farms. “Our customers are more than just shoppers, they are our neighbors and friends, many of whom have been coming back for decades. We are excited to celebrate this milestone with all who visit the market.”
The celebration will be a time for sharing stories, history, and highlights of what life is like on a multigenerational farm – something that is becoming increasingly rare. According to a 2022 Census of Agriculture, there are 141,733 fewer farms in the United States than there were in 2017. One of the reasons for this decline is the lack of succession, as younger generations pursue other careers. However, Harr Family Farms is defying the odds. Now in its fourth generation, the farm is run by Bryan Harr, his wife Mica, and their children Oliver and Adeline. They continue the family’s mission of growing and preparing food with a focus on quality, freshness, and hard work.
“In the early days of our family farm, my great grandparents, Henry and Emmy Harr, would cross the Mississippi River by ferry boat or even by horse-drawn wagon across the frozen river in the winter, just to bring their goods to the market,” shared Bryan. “No matter the weather or hardship, they were always there for their customers.”
Bryan’s grandparents, Erwin and Lilly Harr, opened Carroll Poultry, located on 8th and Carroll Street, just across from Soulard Farmers Market. Years later, Bryan’s parents, Eric and Kathy Harr, expanded the farm and planted 30,000 tomato plants every year. They continued to grow the farm, offering fresh eggs, sorghum molasses, raw honey, homemade butter, and poultry. Today, Bryan Harr has taken over his father’s role and has expanded the farm even further, now including a full-service butcher shop.
“Soulard Farmers Market is not just a place to buy food, it’s a reminder of where our food comes from and the incredible work and commitment that goes into every item in the stands,” said Bob Ray, market manager of Soulard Farmers Market. “The family farms, like Harr Family Farms, are dedicated to bringing our customers the freshest, highest quality food and making it available in a place that offers a historic and unique shopping experience.
