Illinois-based Frey Farms, known for its pumpkins, melons and fall ornamentals, is being showcased at Wal-Mart stores this month in conjunction with the company's Salute to America's Farmers program.

The Salute to America's Farmers is a year-long campaign to spotlight Wal-Mart's commitment to purchase from local growers for distribution to stores in their areas.

Sarah Frey-Talley has been running the family-owned farm and certified Women's Business Enterprise since the early 1980's. Located in Wayne County, Ill., Frey Farms is also a year-round supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Sarah is a 10-year Wal-Mart partner, dating back to when she convinced a district manager to start buying melons for 10 local stores. Today, she shares the company with her four brothers and has grown it into a national produce supplier, selling more than a million pumpkins a year to Wal-Mart.

Sarah's financial success has been highlighted in a Harvard Business School case study and she has been featured on CNN and CNBC programs to discuss her rapid growth as an independent farmer. She has also been featured in a Wal-Mart television spot that can be viewed on www.walmartfacts.com.  

"Frey Farms is an important grower to the agricultural industry in the state of Illinois," says Chuck Hartke, Illinois Agriculture director. "It's among the top pumpkin producers in the largest pumpkin producing state in the country. We take great pride in our local farmers like the Freys and appreciate Wal-Mart's continued support and commitment toward the growers and producers in our state."