Pink Tiger Farm isn’t your typical patch of farmland in southern Illinois. Partners in both life and business, Brian Elias and Kyle McAdams grow and grind artisanal spices to add bold flavors to food in a simple way. They focus on farm-to-jar, growing most of their ingredients and locally sourcing those they don’t.
The idea for the farm came about 15 years ago, but it wasn’t kicked into action until COVID hit and McAdams’ job situation changed. Having grown a variety of vegetables while living in Chicago, the couple was ready to start planting once they moved to the southern part of the state for their new life venture.
With its logo inspired by Korean tiger art, Pink Tiger Farm’s name is personal. “Pink was because we’re gay, and my Dad always used to call me Tiger,” Elias explains. Long before the farm came to fruition, and as the pair brainstormed ideas, Elias remembers thinking, “How funny would it be to have this neon pink tiger on a rural farm sign?”
The two men, who are members of Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative, spent a year going to farmers markets in the area, looking to fill the gap on food options, hoping to stand out among the other sellers.
“A lot of times people think about the farmers market, and they think pickles or jam,” McAdams says. “People don’t expect to get smoked Hungarian paprika … [they] don’t expect things like roasted carrot hummus or black bean dip. … Hopefully [it] expands their perception of what is available.”
Nature has posed its own challenges. Elias and McAdams have worked through obstacles like flooding, disease and pests, explaining that farming is a process of trial and error. Diversifying their planting and expanding into crops that may not be typical of the area has allowed their operation to not only survive, but flourish, with new crops and even a storefront on the horizon.
Their efforts to diversify have led to two varieties of ginger, four of turmeric, 10 types of chilies, multiple varieties of berries and herbs, grapes, lemongrass and cactus. Elias and McAdams are currently in the process of building another 500 square feet of raised beds to incorporate even more. They also are putting a minimum of 30 percent of the land back into native habitat and native species, saying they are looking forward to building out the nature side of the farm.
Products vary seasonally since they are all locally grown. Of their favorites, Elias names Hawaiian Red Turmeric and for McAdams, it’s Turkish Tiger, or Aleppo cumin coriander. Their unique offerings also include smoked garlic, pecan-smoked poblano, candied habanero and chipotle honey drizzle, among others.
Giving back is another part of their business plan — a portion of all sales made through Pink Tiger Trading Company online are donated to charity. Pink Tiger products can be found at a variety of events and farmers markets throughout southern Illinois and on their website.
Whether you’re buying Pink Tiger spices at a southern Illinois farmers market or products from any small business across the state, Elias and McAdams say, “Just go and shop local. Go to your local farmers market. Learn who is growing stuff. You’ll vibe with somebody there. … You’ll find food that you really love, and you’ll be supporting a local farmer.”
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Pink Tiger Farm
Shop online or find markets and events at pinktigerfarm.com.
