As with any ordinary family in Indiana, Jack and Marilyn Andrews have a strong sentimental attachment to their land. Their land, Temper Springs Farm, is a 10-acre field that has recently received the benefits of their conservation efforts. From the time they purchased it, through their stint of running a Christmas Tree farm, and now to their quail conservation project, the land has held deep ties to their heart.

Intertwined Land and Family History

Born and raised in Springs Valley, Illinois, Jack Andrews was no stranger to rural farm life. Growing up close to Chicago, Jack's parents preferred to spend summers at his grandparent's house in Arlington, Illinois. This is where Jack first experienced life on a farm. Jack took care of his grandparents' horses, cattle, and hogs through the summer months. Owning 16 teams of horses that his uncle used to plow and do maintenance around the property, Jack was able to experience firsthand the benefits of technology through the introduction of tractors.

After his adolescent years ended, Jack enlisted in the service. Once concluding his time in the service, Andrews obtained a job selling steel, where he amassed over 40 years of experience. With summers not being spent on the farm, Jack grew apart from his rural side. However, constant work trips to Jasper and Brown County served as reminders of nature's beauty.

Searching the paper one afternoon, Jack stumbled across an advertisement in a local paper from a gentleman selling his property. After sharing his vision for the property, Jack learned that the owner had the same goals in mind but was too old to complete them. With the age of the essence, Jack purchased the property. 

Early Years

Jack and his family spent the first few years with the property, using it as a place to camp for short get-a-ways. After a couple of years, the family constructed a small barn to use when they were at the property. Eventually, they hired a company to build a more significant place for everyone to sleep. The house they built slept 12 people, perfect for their family and the needs of the Christmas Tree Farm. 

Christmas Tree Farm

As the Christmas Tree Farm got off the ground, it quickly became a favorite place among local families during the holiday season. A Santa Claus with a natural beard and the ability to choose and cut their tree, all family members adored the tree farm. Jack's family included. Andrews went as far as to say, "We had more fun than the customers did."

Little Chapel

Away from city lights, the Temper Springs Farm property also offers tranquility. While discussing the tree farm, Jack mentioned his favorite spot on the property, the Little Chapel. The Little Chapel, as the Andrews family calls it, is a small shelter deeper in the property. Inside the shelter, almost no outside noise can be heard. A sign proclaiming, "Here I am Lord," is commonplace for reflection in the Andrews family.

Outside of the Little Chapel, the area's environment is peaceful by itself. Stress is hard to find, from the spectacular view of stars in the night sky to the lightning bugs filling the fields on summer nights in June.

Turning Towards Conservation

After running the Christmas Tree Farm for many years, Jack was approached by a man regarding quail conservation and Jack's property. Once doing his research and reading different articles, Jack's interest was stirred. Andrews contacted the United States Department of Agriculture at Purdue, where they put him in touch with Dean Zimmerman from the quail conservation program.

Once learning they qualified for the program in 2011, the Andrews family jumped all in. With help from Bill Fielding, they planted 10 acres of their farm with flowers and warm-season grasses.

The Conservation

With warm-season grasses and flowers planted nearly a decade ago, Bill Fielding with Quail Forever explained that Jack's constant maintenance of the property had led it to be one of their most successful plantings. Jack burns or discs a third of the property each year while leaving the other two-thirds alone using a three-year cycle. Along with cutting it, it has done wonders. A variety of birds and flowers abound in the field. The field's prosperity has reached such a high level that they can help other quail habitats by providing seeds for their grasses and flowers.

Quail Release

Just recently, the Andrews were able to see their long-term project succeed with the release of quail into their habitat. The couple feels optimistic for the future. After not knowing a peaceful and relaxing life existed, they are happy to experience it. From sharing to learning about nature, the property they stumbled across has given them something purely good for the soul.