Gengel Mink Farm has closed

After 65 years in operation, and the slaughter of too many mink to count, we can confirm that the Gengel mink farm in Lake Villa, Illinois has closed. Ron Gengel was an important figure in the mink industry, serving as president of Fur Commission USA for many years. Ron and his son Gerry also owned and operated the Illinois Mink Wire Company that sold feeders, skinning machines, wire for cages and other equipment for mink and fox farms, the only such company in the U.S.