Just like the middle class, the mid–sized farms are getting fewer and fewer. The US Ag Department's latest census shows a growth in small farms where the operator has another job off the farm. There's also been a boom in very large farms where farmers are trying to make a living.

Just as much of a constant as corn is, there's been an Obery growing the crop on this land in Woodford County.

"One hundred thirty five years is a long time. To have it come down to me, I really want to keep it going," Brian Obery says.

At 25-years-old, Brian is the only 6th generation member of the Obery family to put his foot into this farm field outside Metamora.

"I feel pretty blessed, pretty privileged to be out here doing what I'm doing," Brian tells News 25.

The Obery's Farm today is as far as the eye can see, 3000 acres. It's a far cry from the 127 acres back in the 1870's.

"Ever since the Civil War, farms have been getting larger and larger and it seems like in just the last five to ten years, we've had accelerated growth," 5th Generation Farmer John Obery says.

On the other end of the spectrum is the Stevens' farm in Peoria County where the 3rd generation will likely be the last as a full time family farm.

"It's a small operation, and it's not an operation that can sustain the family but they could do it in conjunction with something else," Jack Stevens says.

Jack's three sons all have other full time jobs off the farm. At the age of 68, Jack's still shoveling feed for his 100 cows. He also has about 300 acres of crops which is just 10% the size of the Obery Farm.

"The farm has to get extremely large to absorb the extra families," Stevens says "And, that's why we see the farms growing like we do."

The Oberys have five family members working on their farm full time. One family member even made a movie detailing the history of how they made it happen.

"It has grown. I remember because I was born and raised on a farm and oh my you wouldn't believe how we lived and how they're living today. We didn't have electricity, running water, lots of things we did not have," Marcella Obery, a member of the 4th generation on the farm, says.

The Obery's today own three semis, planters and tractors along with an extra–large combine to farm their far–reaching fields. They also have these large bins to store their thousands of bushels of corn.
But, the business is not just planting and harvesting.

"We had to diversify a little bit and we got into the grain business in the early years buying and selling grain for other farmers. The later years we got into the chemical and fertilizer business and did a lot custom application and that kept the lights on in some of the lean years," John Obery says.

Today, John spends as much time sitting behind a computer tracking grain prices as he does on a tractor. His wife handles the books while other family members have their expertise like fixing equipment.

"In this day and age, you've got to have a strong family to survive. Not everyone can get into the farming business because of the capital outlay. Very few people will have that opportunity," John tells News 25 as he stands in front of an Obery Semi-Truck.

The opportunity to make farming a full time occupation has now likely passed for the Stevens' family.

"The small farmer it's a hobby thing almost. Yeah, I make a living at it but you've got to have outside source of income to survive on a small farm," Jack says.