our story
Welcome to Pink Tiger Farm! Our journey began five years ago when we—Brian Elias and Kyle McAdams—were busy professionals in Chicago with a shared dream of farming. When the pandemic hit, it became the push we needed to turn that dream into a reality. We traded city life for a plot of land in southern Illinois and, after three full farming seasons, have fully embraced our new life. As Brian puts it, we've transformed "acres of muddy, mucky, weedy fields into productive, biologically active farmland." Our aggressive approach to farming is a reflection of our passion and unwavering dedication.
The name Pink Tiger Farm is a tribute to our unique journey and who we are. The color "pink" is a proud nod to our identity as a gay couple, and "tiger" comes from a nickname Brian’s father gave him. It's a name that represents our commitment to creating our own path and building a home in the heart of the countryside.
The name Pink Tiger Farm is a tribute to our unique journey and who we are. The color "pink" is a proud nod to our identity as a gay couple, and "tiger" comes from a nickname Brian’s father gave him. It's a name that represents our commitment to creating our own path and building a home in the heart of the countryside.
From Our Farm to Your Kitchen
Our farm is a true labor of love. We believe that what you find on store shelves often lacks character and flavor. As Brian explains, “A lot of paprika on the market is kind of red dust. It doesn’t have a lot of flavor.” We are on a mission to change that. We specialize in growing a wide variety of heirloom peppers and herbs, including unique varieties like Hawaiian red turmeric and Aleppo peppers. We select each one for its heritage, flavor, and cultural significance. For example, we grow the Syrian Aleppo pepper not for its yield but out of a desire to help preserve a cultural tradition that was nearly lost.
Our process is meticulously intentional. We get every pepper from the field into cold storage within 30 minutes of harvest to ensure maximum freshness. In our on-site commercial kitchen, we remove the seeds and membranes, a time-consuming but crucial step that prevents the flavor from being diluted. A 10-pound batch of fresh peppers becomes less than a pound of our final product, a testament to the labor of love in every single jar. For our chipotle powder, we use a traditional slow-smoking method with pecan wood to create a deep, complex flavor.
Each product is designed to be your "secret ingredient." We see our seasonings as "a little bit of jewelry for your tuna salad sandwich," a simple way to add depth and flavor to any dish. In addition to our spices, we collaborate with other local farmers to produce value-added goods like hot honey and infused vinegars, and we will soon be offering frozen, minimally processed packages of our in-season produce.
Each product is designed to be your "secret ingredient." We see our seasonings as "a little bit of jewelry for your tuna salad sandwich," a simple way to add depth and flavor to any dish. In addition to our spices, we collaborate with other local farmers to produce value-added goods like hot honey and infused vinegars, and we will soon be offering frozen, minimally processed packages of our in-season produce.
Our Mission to Give Back
We believe that our success is tied to the success of our community. We are committed to a philosophy of interdependence, where we not only grow our business but also support those around us. This is evident in our local sourcing—we collaborate with other small producers, such as a farm in Benton and a couple of farms in Carbondale that supply our smoked garlic. We love letting our customers know that their purchase is supporting multiple small businesses.
This commitment extends to our Pink Tiger Trading Company, our product line dedicated to giving back. A portion of every sale from this line goes directly to local nonprofits. Our first product, a black garlic and chive salt, supports the Rainbow Cafe LGBT Youth Center, an organization dedicated to providing resources and support for LGBTQIA+ youth and adults. Future products, including a taco seasoning and a burger spice blend, will benefit other causes close to our hearts, such as animal rescues and land conservation.
As an LGBTQ-owned and operated business, we are humbled by the support of our customers. As Brian says, they "don't just accept us, they support us," and that is the true foundation of our business. Our journey is one of continuous learning, curiosity, and a desire to connect with and serve our community.
This commitment extends to our Pink Tiger Trading Company, our product line dedicated to giving back. A portion of every sale from this line goes directly to local nonprofits. Our first product, a black garlic and chive salt, supports the Rainbow Cafe LGBT Youth Center, an organization dedicated to providing resources and support for LGBTQIA+ youth and adults. Future products, including a taco seasoning and a burger spice blend, will benefit other causes close to our hearts, such as animal rescues and land conservation.
As an LGBTQ-owned and operated business, we are humbled by the support of our customers. As Brian says, they "don't just accept us, they support us," and that is the true foundation of our business. Our journey is one of continuous learning, curiosity, and a desire to connect with and serve our community.
A Point of Pride
We are honored to have our hard work recognized by our state. This year, Pink Tiger Farm was one of 20 new small businesses to be inducted into the Illinois Made program. This prestigious designation from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity celebrates local artisans who help define our state’s unique character, and we are proud to be a part of it.
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