THE STEWARDS

 

 

The majority of our Stewards are families with children.  These young farmers are an integral part of the daily farming operations.  They finally have the hope of staying “on the family farm,” with the prospects of raising livestock and growing specialty crops on smaller acreages.

 

Our oldest farm - one in production since the 1830’s -focuses on the wild specialty crops - wild ramps and paw paws from the lush woods, wild nettles and lambs-quarters, pure maple syrup and wild honey.

 

One couple and their 13-year old daughter consider their farm an eleven-year God-given dream come true.  They raise a variety of vegetables - green onions, broccoli, cauliflower, herbs, tomatoes, kohlrabi, squash, and much more - naturally without synthetic chemicals or fertilizers.  They put fresh produce on local tables the day after it is picked.

 

 

    Blue Sky Acres:

In 2006, we started our small farm by raising vegetables.  Since then, we've expanded our offerings to include chickens, eggs and honey.  For more information click here!


    North Avoca Farm: 

Growing crops commercially for two years selling tomatoes, lettuces, beans, etc. and fruits from my small orchard, my ultimate goal is to find several unique & interesting products to grow and sell as well.  For more information click here!

    Calico Gardens:  

We have grown a variety of leaf lettuces, heirloom tomatoes, beets, and cucumbers andare looking to producing mini-corn, toy choy, celery, and a white cherry tomato.  For more information click here!


    Eden's Harvest Farm: 

We grow a wide variety of vegetables including green onions, radishes, lettuces, greens, broccoli, cauliflower, herbs, tomatoes, beets, kohlrabi, summer & winter squash and more!  The varieties are chosen for flavor, not extended shelf life or ability to endure rough handling by specialized picking and processing equipment.  For more information click here! 

    KDK Farms: 

We’ve grown items like:   spinach, peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas, radishes, onions, green beans, squash, potatoes, napa cabbage, cabbage, beets, kohlrabi, broccoli, brussel sprouts, turnips, Indian corn, pumpkins, garlic, tomatillos, cantaloupe, strawberries,& raspberries and a variety of lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, gourds and peppers.  For more information click here!

    Little Farm on the Prairie:

Today, our product line has expanded to include:  eggs, chicken, and turkey.  We continue to produce all products using all natural ingredients with no chemicals, hormones, or antibiotics.  We feed them alfalfa, grass, hay, corn, oats, wheat, and vitamin supplements.  This year, we are beginning to grow our own feed using non-GMO and organic methods.  For more information click here!

    Windmill Acres:

Some of the produce we grew last year were zucchini (tons of them), orange and red watermelon, melons, green beans, leaf lettuce, head lettuce, four kinds of potatoes (including purple potatoes).  For more information click here!

    Spence Farm:

In the early spring, we harvest wild ramps native to our nearby woods and gather and make pure maple syrup from our long-standing grove of maple trees.   In April of each year, we offer a native heirloom plant sale.

Throughout the summer and fall, we offer many varieties of heirloom vegetables - tomatoes, lettuce, beets, squash blossoms, and much more.  In the fall, we also gather wild paw-paws and produce Iroquois white cornmeal.

Many of our specialty wilds are used by chefs in Chicago and Champaign.  While we do supply many “regular” heirloom vegetables, we specialize in things like ramps, nettle, lambs-quarter, and paw-paws.  For more information click here!

    Windy Knoll Produce: 

Derek has picked mulberries and grown peas, green beans, lettuce, spinach, parsley, red and yellow peppers, pumpkins, tomatoes, etc. without using herbicides and only organic methods of insect control.  But he really enjoys hi Indian corn which has been a unique ingredient enjoyed by Chicago chefs.  For more information click here!

 

    TW Farms: 

The primary food products that I am growing are melons and popcorn.  I sell my popcorn shelled and also as “Microwave-Your-Own-Popcorn-on-the-Cob.”  For more information click here!

 

 

  

    Grazin' Acres:

With a commitment to providing nature's best, we at Grazin' Acres raise Black Angus cattle the old fashion way--with no added hormones, antibiotics, or steroids.  For more information click here!