Nikki Malley ’98 transformed her passion for canning into a bustling storefront at 54 S. Seminary St., Galesburg, IL, in March 2023. Over a year later, the business is now shipping jams, jellies, and more across the country.

Malley Farms is a testament to the power of following one's heart and the support of a community like Knox College. Summers at Knox provided the flexibility for Malley to explore her love for canning, starting with the farmers' market. It was a separate world from her live music performance life that began when she returned to Knox as a professor in 2003, yet it quickly became a way for her to give back to the community she cherished.

Malley found unwavering support from her family, which fueled her decision to open Malley Farms. With a background in retail from her parents' bookstore, she felt a sense of familiarity with this new professional endeavor.

Malley Farms houses a full kitchen in-store, as well as a selection of premium foods that complement every customer’s pallet. She says her vision for Malley Farms is clear—to be distinctive yet approachable. The online shop, filled with botanical illustrations, aims to offer customers a customizable experience that she describes as “adventurous, not pretentious.”

“Galesburg and Knox are the reason this even started. The community is so important. Everyone has been so encouraging about this left turn I’ve taken,” Malley said. “The support for this little idea gave me the confidence to make it a big idea. I don’t know if it would have happened anywhere else.”

You can shop everything Malley Farms has to offer in person or, for alumni and friends around the country, online at
www.themalleyfarms.com.