Farmers Weekly Review

a) Passes pageantry on to her own children

b) Becomes a real estate super-saleswoman

c) Settles down on a farm with three horses, a cow, a mini-horse, five goats, 10 cats, four dogs, a rabbit, five ducks, one Guinea Hen and 50 chickens.

If you’re Ashley Toepper, the answer is “All of the above.”

The 2017 Mrs. Peotone also competed for the Mrs. Illinois America title, among other pageants.

Earlier this summer, she was recognized by the Mainstreet Organization for Realtors’ “20 Under 40 Class of 2024,” for her “outstanding commitment to her colleagues, clients, and communities.” She is on-staff at Exclusive Realtors at 207 N. Second St., in Peotone.

And she lives on a farm in Green Garden Township.

“It’s small, just 5 acres,” she said of the homestead she shares with her husband Matt, sons Easton and Hendrix, and daughter Maddyx.

“We love it out here.”

Toepper concedes that beauty queen and farmer are not terms often used in the same sentence. But for the Kankakee native and lifelong animal lover, they are not mutually exclusive.

“Growing up, I was involved with both (pageants and farming),” she explained.

“Beauty pageants, while a big part of my life, were just a hobby. I took riding lessons from a young age. I always wanted my own horse, but my parents didn’t have the means, so I worked in a stable to help pay for my own lessons.

“I knew that one day when I was old enough, I wanted to work hard to have my own horses, and eventually, have my own farm to have all of my animals at home.

“I could talk about my animals all day long,” she added.

“We have 3 horses (Velvet, Norman, and Stewie). One mini horse, Nugget. One cow, Chesney. Five goats (Christopher, Miranda, Ramsey, Goatzilla and Silver). Ten cats (KeKe, Cat, Big Red, Little Red, Cheese, House, Meow Meow, Biscuit, Sassy and Wave). Four dogs (Dunkin, Bat Girl, Justin and Bob Bob). One rabbit, Thumper. Five ducks, one Guinea, and over 50 chickens who we have never named.

“They are all pets! Very much a part of our family. I have always loved animals. They have helped me through so much in life and continue to do so. Growing up we only had a bird, a dog, and a couple cats, but I knew one day I’d have many more when I was able.

“We don’t grow any crops,” Toepper noted.

“We have thought about growing our own hay, so maybe one day. We do sell eggs from our ducks and chickens, and we have given away a lot of eggs to people in need. as well.”

Caring for her menagerie is a challenge during extreme weather, but not the most painful.

“For the most part, I handle all of the cleaning, feedings, turn out/bring in, medicine and supplements on my own. My kids help when they are able and they are capable of handling it all if they need to! My husband is a huge help when called upon. I especially love when he stacks hay for me, because I loathe it,” she laughed.

“I would say it can get tough with the animals when the weather gets extremely hot, or extremely cold. We have to do extra those days to keep everyone comfortable and happy.

“The hardest part, to me, is when one of the animals gets sick or injured, or when one passes away.

“We hate that part. Although, we are able to take those situations and teach the kids about the ups and downs of animal ownership and farm life.

“The best part of farm life is sitting back at the end of the day and seeing all of our animals happy and healthy. I love that it teaches my kids responsibility and how to handle many different situations.

‘Farm life teaches you so much about life in general, in so many different ways. It is something my family can all work on together.”

But even working together doesn’t always get everything on her “To Do” list done.

“Well, sometimes I just don’t,” she shrugged. “Plain and simple. I just have to do my best, and that will be how that day has to be. There are days where there just simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get stalls cleaned, or fenced mended. There are days where I am gone a majority of the day at meetings, or showing houses.

“If my husband or kids aren’t here to help that day, there are plenty of times I have run home, swapped my heels for muck boots, put horses out, fed, watered, put my heels back on and headed out to work! There are also a lot of very late nights. Two things are for sure– my clients will always be taken care of, and our animals will always be taken care of.”

All the jobs she has held, she said, “pose challenges in their own way.”

“All three require some serious dedication, time, money, and work ethic. While pageants are hard, real estate puts my clients’ lives and futures in my hands, and farming puts my animals’ lives in my hands. My clients and my animals are two very important parts of my life and I work very hard to make sure they aren’t let down”

Asked which one she loved best, she quipped, “All three.

“While I don’t compete anymore, my three children do. There is something really special about watching your kids do something they love so much and following in your footsteps.

“Real estate is also a favorite because I get to help people with such a big step in their lives and I just love to see others happy.

“My farm would be my other favorite, as it is just simply my life, my home, and my happy place.”

And is it really the legendary “simple life”?

“Well, I think it can be,” she said.

“However, it’s almost as if no two days are the same. You never know what challenges each day might bring. Aside from having my own animals here, I also take boarders who are rehabbing from injuries.

“So you could say on days that everyone is healthy, chores are finished, and there isn’t a huge to-do list, it’s the simple life.”

Each of her jobs has been a learning experience.

“Something I learned in pageants would be that while you might do your very best, you might not be those judges’ cup of tea that weekend, and that’s OK,” she said.

“You have to learn to set your own personal goals and achieve those; it doesn’t always matter what someone else thinks of you.

“Something I have learned in real estate is there is no one way to be successful. I might do things differently than other agents, and that is what works for me and my clients. It is OK to be different! It’s easy to give up in this industry so you have to wake up everyday with motivation and determination.

“As far as farming, I have dealt with farm animals my whole life, and I still feel like there is something new I learn each and every day.

“I have learned that a bad day on the farm isn’t a bad life, and it’s OK to feel defeated,” she said, “but the good outweighs the bad, and we pick our heads up and truck on. I’ve learned to teach these lessons to my kids along the way.

“I think if I wanted people to know something about living on a farm, it would be that it is super tough, but so rewarding.

“Sometimes behind all of the pretty pictures on social media, we are sitting up all night watching a sick horse, nursing a sick chicken, making sure we have enough hay for the year, or tending to muddy pastures because of mother nature.

“It definitely isn’t all sunshine and rainbows! Yet, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”