About Us

From a 4-H Project to a Family Legacy

From a 4-H Dream to a Family Legacy

The story of Cherokee Flats began in 2004 with an eight-year-old boy, a love for rabbits, and a 4-H project called “Cody’s Rabbit Cave.” What started as a childhood project quickly grew into a family passion for animals, responsible breeding, and quality husbandry.

As our family and animal program grew, so did our vision. After moving to the rural countryside of Farmer City, Illinois, we were able to expand upon the foundation that began with that first 4-H project. Over the years, Cherokee Flats has continued to grow and evolve while remaining a small, family-run breeding program.

As members of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), we are committed to continually learning, improving our breeding program, and preserving the characteristics that make each breed unique. Our rabbit program currently includes English Lops, Mini Lops, Polish, Argente Brun, Champagne d’Argent, and Crème d’Argent.

Our cavy program includes American, Teddy, Peruvian, Silkie, and Skinny guinea pigs, with an emphasis on proper husbandry, health, and responsible breeding. We also raise Standard and Dumbo Ear fancy rats, with careful consideration given to health and temperament.

We continue to expand our involvement with breed-specific organizations and the rabbit and cavy communities so we can continue learning, improving, and supporting the breeds we love.

Rooted in Sustainability

Sustainability at Cherokee Flats is more than a farm practice—it is an important part of how we approach animal husbandry and everyday life.

Our goal is to maintain a practical closed-loop system where resources from one part of the farm can benefit another. Manure and other usable organic materials can be returned to our gardens and soil, helping reduce waste while improving the land that supports us.

We believe responsible husbandry means recognizing the connection between animals, people, land, and soil. Our breeding decisions focus on health, temperament, longevity, and appropriate breed standards rather than simply producing animals in large quantities.

For us, sustainability means working with our land rather than simply on it, making thoughtful use of our resources, reducing unnecessary waste, and continually looking for ways to improve the environment we provide for our animals and family.

Supporting Wildlife & Conservation

Our commitment to animals extends beyond those raised at Cherokee Flats. We also believe in supporting organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation, education, and the care of animals that cannot be returned to the wild.

Since 2005, we have supported the work of the World Bird Sanctuary. In 2024, we expanded our conservation efforts through a partnership with the Illinois Raptor Center.

Every few months, Cherokee Flats provides appropriately raised rabbits, rats, and mice for use as whole-prey nutrition for non-releasable birds of prey in professional care. This allows animals produced through our farm to serve an important purpose while supporting the nutritional needs of raptors that depend on their caregivers.

This relationship is another extension of our closed-loop philosophy and our belief that responsible animal husbandry includes understanding the role animals play within the larger natural ecosystem.

More Than a Breeding Program

What began with Cody’s Rabbit Cave in 2004 has grown into something much larger than a childhood 4-H project.

Today, Cherokee Flats represents more than simply raising rabbits, cavies, and fancy rats. It represents family, responsible breeding, education, sustainability, conservation, and respect for animals throughout every stage of their lives.

More than two decades later, we remain proud of where we started and committed to continuing the values that helped build Cherokee Flats from the beginning.

Cherokee Flats
Established 2004 • Farmer City, Illinois

Cherokee Flats on CI Living