FarmHER’s family builds agritourism hotspot complete with a carnival!

Meet FarmHER Stephanie Stade Townsend, part of the second generation on Stade’s Farm & Market in McHenry, Illinois. The popular agritourism spot outside Chicago offers carnival attractions alongside their classic farmer’s market and u-pick produce and flower farm!

FarmHER Stephanie Stade Townsend has two main goals: to provide homegrown produce and beef to her community and to help execute her father’s vision to bring the carnival experience to their farm.

When you step onto Stade’s Farm & Market, you’re not just a visitor but part of the farming and the fun. While at Stade’s, you can pick your apples and green beans and then spin the 100-year-old carousel, slide down the giant slide, and shoot the pumpkin cannon!

Stephanie and her husband, Sean, are the second generation on the land. They helped her father continue to diversify the family operation by adding a direct-to-consumer beef program. From homegrown beef to pasture-raised eggs, Stephanie and Sean are dedicated to offering quality food to their customers.

As if that wasn’t enough excitement, Stephanie and Sean recently welcomed their newest addition, baby girl Tilly, making Stade’s not just a family business but a growing family itself.

Watch this all-new episode of FarmHER featuring Stephanie Stade Townsend when it premieres TONIGHT, Tuesday, October 8, at 9:00 PM ET only on RFD-TV. Catch encore airings on Fridays at 9:30 PM ET and Sundays at 10:00 PM ET.

Binge all episodes and past seasons of FarmHER and RanchHER on-demand at any time with your annual subscription to RFD-TV Now.

Related Stories
Dairy farmer and Discover Ag co-host Tara Vander Dussen joined us to discuss the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, her experience at the signing, and what’s next for her family and farm.
Alex Templeton works alongside her dad, sharing her life through social media and her blog Ag Talk with Alex.
FarmHER Nikki Boxler, aka The Maple Farmer, blends tradition with innovation, tapping into a bold new future for maple syrup.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Biofuel policy decisions may influence planting economics. Today, March 18, is also National Biodiesel Day.
Bryan Combs with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service breaks down new farmland data from the TOTAL survey, highlights key findings, and potential impacts for the ag sector. ASFMRA’s David Klein also shares how those trends are reflected in the current farmland market, especially in the Midwest.
Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt fertilizer shipments, raising costs and creating uncertainty for U.S. farmers ahead of planting season.
APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer Dr. Chelsey Shiveley discusses USDA’s biosecurity resources available to poultry producers ahead of spring migration, increasing the risk of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) threatens commercial flocks.
Even some Democrats have expressed support for dismantling cartel operations. South Texas Congressman Vicente Gonzalez said he agrees with Trump on the issue.
This year at CattleCon 2026, RFD Network’s Kirbe Schnoor caught up with Donna Emick from Pneu-Dart to get her perspective on why education, safety, and accountability matter in the field.