2021 Townline Hatchery

Established in 1913
Townline was established in 1913 by Jacob and Ada Geerlings and originally began as a cow farm. Due to the growing poultry industry in town, it quickly became a chick hatchery. It was and continues to be, very common for children to help and maintain the farm, and Jacob and Ada’s son Henry took over the family business in 1940 with his wife Gertrude. Not long after, the poultry industry began to dissipate in Zeeland due to the relatively inflated expense of raising poultry in the cold climate of Michigan. Many moved south for reduced feed and heat costs. Others shut their doors altogether as a result of a lack of interest from buyers or heirs. Fighting on, three of Henry and Gertrude’s sons, Jack, Richard, and Don took over the farm in 1988 as 3rd generation owners and operators.