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CSAs
CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. This is a way for small organic farms to connect directly to the community and the consumer. By dealing directly the middleman distribution costs are eliminated and the farmer can offer reasonable prices for his high quality products. This is how it works. The farmer sells "shares" of his future crop to consumers.They now own a stake in the crop that the farmer is about to plant, but they also share the risk if the crop fails. As the growing season begins the farmer delivers a box of mixed produce to various drop-off sites for each shareholder, as return on their investment. The box is usually mixed with the best of what the growing season offers that week. This drop-off continues until the end of the growin g season, usually in October or November. CSA's are also operating with meat, eggs and dairy products. We have listed some of the best CSA's now operating in or near Illinois.

Angelic Organics
1547 Rockton Road
Caledonia IL 61011
tel. (815) 389-2746
email: AngelicOr@aol.com
web: www.angelicorganics.com
Contact: John Peterson or Bob Bower

Angelic Organics is the largest CSA in the Midwest, possibly in the United States. They have more than 800 members for the 1999 season. Its membership has been growing steadily since 1992, when John Peterson began as a Community-Supported Agriculture farm.

The CSA’s core group has become a strong center for communication for the CSA in the last several years. They employ a phone tree to keep members aware of upcoming events at the farm such as farm tours and celebration days. New members are welcomed and paired up with an older member in a buddy system that helps them feel comfortable with the ins-and-outs of CSA.

The farm has 25 acres under production and more acres in transition to biodynamic growing practices. To ensure continuity for the farm and to facilitate a much-needed expansion, some of the share members purchased additional land recently and leased it to Angelic Organics. The farm also has a right-to-purchase on the land, which they can exercise in the future.

The season at Angelic Organics lasts twenty weeks, from mid-June to late October. A winter share, consisting of four additional boxes delivered every other week in November and December, is also available for members who just can’t do without their wonderful produce. They provide a three-quarter bushel basket to their share members each week, delivered to twenty drop-off sites in Chicago.

The farm management involves biodynamic agriculture, a farming system that focuses on soil and plant health and balancing the farm’s biological systems. As in traditional organic farming, no toxic substances are used on the farm. The farm is also a center for teaching; a number of interns are employed each year, learning the business of raising high-quality produce and how to use the CSA model. An on-line document, Internship Booklet, is available on their website for review if you are interested.

With the availability of the additional land, the farm’s assistant general manager, Bob Bower, said that he hopes to be able to add livestock and an apple orchard in the near future.


Avalanche Organics
S7200 HWY 131
Viola, WI 54664
tel: (608) 629-5296
Contact: James Welch
www.avalancheorganics.com
welch@mwt.net

Avalanche is a premier organic/biodynamic farm in S.W. Wisconsin. They grow over 175 varieties of specialty vegetables, fruits and herbs. They have drop-off points in Evanston and Naperville.


Biver Farms CSA
7307 Pin Oak Road
Edwardsville IL 62025
tel. (618) 656-5709
Contact: Brett Palmier

This CSA, east of St. Louis, is in its third year in 1999, with about fifty share members. Biver Farms offer two share sizes, with a half-share priced at $12/week and a full share at $17/week. A half-share is sized for a couple with a small child; a full share will keep four to five adults happy every week. Their season runs from mid-May to mid-October, or longer if the weather and crops cooperate.

A typical share includes organic produce and fruits such as strawberries, raspberries, pears and grapes. Egg subscriptions are also available, as well as freshly baked organic breads and naturally raised beef.

CSA members are invited to participate in farm festivities during the year. In early spring, members can attend a ‘sugar bush’ and be part of making maple syrup from trees tapped on the farm. Other events include a summer field day and a fall soup celebration, where the harvest bounty becomes soup for all.

The CSA has been slowly but steadily growing. Brett Palmier, one of the farmers, noted that they would love to find someone producing organic milk in their area to supply the CSA members. In addition to the CSA, Biver Farms also sells produce at the Edwardsville farmer’s market. They keep looking forward; other plans include a collaborative arrangement with other area organic producers to supply restaurants in the St. Louis area with quality organic produce.


Buff Rock Farm
1971 County Line Road
Steward IL 60553
tel. (815) 384-5002
web: www.buffrockfarm.com
Contact: Jeff Uhlig

This CSA, located about 70 miles west of Chicago, utilizes sustainable and organic growing methods to provide their customer members with fresh fruits, vegetables, and eggs. For 1999, their second season, they are working with other local farmers to also have beef, pork, apple cider, and turkeys available.

Buff Rock Farm’s CSA delivery season runs from Memorial Day through October. Shares are available at three levels: the smallest size, designed for a single person, a half-share and a full share. These shares are priced at $200, $300, and $450, respectively, and were delivered to their members during their first season. Centrally located drop-off sites may be become a lower-cost option as the farm membership expands. Members are always welcome to come out to the farm and pick up their order themselves. The farm draws the majority of their members from the Chicago area; approximately one-third are from Chicago and another third from the far western suburbs.

For the 1999 season, Jeff is planning on raising more than twenty-five different varieties of vegetables and herbs. Newsletters are sent to members with their shares every month and include recipes for all those veggies.

Buff Rock Farm hosts events and workshops for their members every season, including how-to’s such as basket-weaving, vegetable canning and quilting classes to pumpkin-picking weekends in October. A customer picnic is also held every summer.


Clay Bank Farms
2699 Illinois N130,
Olney IL 62450
tel. (618) 863-2606
Contact: Patrick Jennings

This 80-acre CSA is beginning its production with ten acres of organic produce. The farm is not certified at this time. They specialize in organic produce and berries, with both blackberries and raspberries, as well as asparagus. The cost is approximately $300 per family for an extended season that runs from May through October. A work program is available to offset part of the share cost.

Crooked Row Farm
1735 Sublette Rd.
Sublette, IL 61367
tel: (815) 849-5140
Contact: Nancy Nesyto-Freske

Crooked Row Farm is a 13 acre organic farm specializing in heirloom and open-pollinated vegetables, rare and heirloom chickens,
turkeys and sheep. They began a CSA in 2001 with delivery sites in Dixon, Mendota Riverside, Warrenville, and Hinckley, IL. They are open to new delivery sites in the area. They welcome farm visits, but call in advance. They also offe r vegetables for sale directly
from the farm. This year they are also offering organic free-range chickens. Contact them
for details.


Good Hope Gardens
13595 N. 1950th Rd
Good Hope IL
tel. (309) 456-3884
Contact: Grover McCounter

This CSA is a small, highly specialized enterprise, with no more than twenty or so members at a time. Members pay $300 for a full share, for a family of four; senior citizens have the option of a reduced share at $200. McCounter also offers an early discount incentive for signing up before the season begins. His season begins in April and lasts through the fall.

He makes a weekly CSA delivery into Macomb and also offers free-range eggs by subscription. McCounter, says everything he raises has been organically produced for more than twenty years. (We use sunlight, earth, air, and water.) He has not seen a need to become certified as organic; his customers know him and know how he raises his produce.

He does not take more than twenty or so CSA members. He sells some produce and fruit at the Macomb farmers’ market, as well as selling at a farm stand at the five-acre garden plot in Good Hope.

Henry's Farm (The Land)
Congerville, IL
tel: (309) 965-2304
Contact: Marlene Brockman or
Terra Brockman at terrabooks@earthlink.net
www.henrysfarm.com

The Brockmans are among the most committed organic farmers in Illinois. Since 1993 they have revitalized this family farm and brought exceptional organic produce to the region. Their specialty is unusual asian vegetables, but they also grow numerous others. You can pick-up CSA boxes at their farm each Monday or at Bloomington/Normal drop sites. Theyalso sell at the Evanston Farmers Market. Check their website for more information.


King's Hill Organic Farm
Mineral Point, WI
tel: (888)- 752-2301
Contact: Tom Ulick

King's Hill grows organic fruits and vegetables and delivers to Chicago and other suburbs.


Organic Pastures Meat CSA
669 Country Road 1800 E
Eureka, IL 61530
tel: (309) 467-6006
Contact: Larry and Marilyn Wettstein
orgpas@mtco.com

Subscribers get monthly deliveries of "combo packs" that feature a variety of cuts of certified organic beef. CSA members also have access to organic pork, chicken and turkey and can special order any quantity of extra meat to be delivered at the same V time as the CSA. Their CSA is currently available in Bloomington, IL, but soon becoming available in Evanston and Oak Park. (They will deliver to a community that reaches 20 subscribers).


Prairie Crossing Farm
32400 N. Harris Road
Grayslake IL
tel. (847) 548-4030
Contact: Denise Peterson

Prairie Crossing Farm has been providing its members with organically raised food since 1992. They currently supply about 100 members with produce, small fruits, herbs, flowers, honey, and eggs. They are putting in an apple orchard this year, although the apples won’t be ready for several years.

This CSA operates as a subscription farm with a twist. Members have a choice about the size of their share. They can purchase a $200, $300, or $400 share for the season, which runs from mid-May to November in 1999. They then pay ahead of time for their share. Instead of receiving a weekly delivery, however, they visit the farm’s store or one of the three farmers’ market where Prairie Crossing Farm sells their products. These markets are found in Greyslake, Prairie Crossing, and Evanston.

Their members choose the products they want; the amount of their purchase is then deducted from their paid share for the season. All prices are based on current market value for those organic products.

For the 1999 season, share members will be able for the first time to donate funds to create shares for the local food pantry. The farm also participates in the WIC farmers’ market program at the farm store and at all three markets, a federally funded program that provides coupons to low-income mothers and children that can be redeemed for fresh, locally grown produce. This CSA is accepting new members.


Prairieland CSA
PO Box 1404
Champaign, IL 61824-1404
tel. (217) 643-2031
Contact: Anna Barnes

This CSA had a somewhat unorthodox beginning and had a special arrangement between some of its core members and its farmers. In this CSA, the core members originally went looking for their farmer.

This group, members of the Common Ground Coop, were affiliated with the Illinois Disciples Foundation (IDF), who hosted the Common Ground Food Coop in their building in Champaign. They decided to find a farmer and start a CSA in their area as a community mission. They advertised and recruited a willing farmer; the CSA began in 1994. Anna Barnes was later hired as a communications and outreach person for the CSA for a year term. She now serves as a contact person, working for her share of the CSA produce.

Membership, up to 140 shares with 223 members for the 1999 season, has been slowly but steadily rising. After feedback from their member customers, the CSA decided to offer a (one-size-fits-all) share size. Priced at $217 per season, the shares are delivered for a twenty-four week season. If members purchase more than one share, the price of each additional one drops to $192/season. About 40 egg subscriptions are also available for interested members. Share costs for 2000 are expected to be around $265. They expect to charge an additional $40 late fee for late enrollment.

In 1998, the CSA implemented another aspect of IDF’s community mission. They offered sponsored-shares, where other members donated funds to cover share costs for nine low-income families. They hope to continue this program. This year, however, the CSA will be standing on its own and will no longer be sponsored by IDF.

The two current farmers own land in different parts of the urban area; the Illinois Disciples Foundation building had served as the CSA drop-off site. This year, the CSA used neighborhood drop-off sites to make delivery as convenient as possible for its members. The farmers also sell produce at farmers’ markets and to local restaurants as well.

At Prairieland CSA, members have several opportunities to visit ‘their’ farm. The CSA hosts potluck dinners at the beginning and end of the season; volunteer work days and farm tours are also held to encourage members to come out to the farms.

Sweet Earth Organic Farm
PO Box 323
Wauzeka, WI 53826
tel: (608) 875-6026
www.sweetearthcsa.com
Contact: Renee Randall

Sweet Earth grows organic and heirloom vegetables. They have drop-off sites in Chicago and other suburbs.

Local Farms

Some local organic farms sell produce or meats directly to the public at their farms instead of, or in addition to, CSA's. Some also sell at local farmers markets.
Here listed are some of the best of our local Illinois, or near Illinois farms.


Alden Ponds
14518 O'Brien Road
Alden, IL 60001
tel: (815) 648-4708
Contact: Mary Wilson
aldenponds@aol.com

Alden Ponds is a certified organic farm serving the Chicago Metropolitan area.They grow a wide assortment of fresh produce including many gourmet vegetables, strawberries and
herbs. They participate at the Deerfield Farmers Market and have their own farm stand at the farm. They supply upscale restaurants and natural food stores.


Kinnikinnick Farm
21123 Grade School Road
Caledonia, IL 61011
tel: (815) 292-3288
Contact: David Cle verdon

The Kinnikinnick Farm sells organic produce at the Evanston Farmers Market and at the Green City Market in Chicago. They also sell to Chicago area restaurants.

The Land (Henry's Farm)
Congerville, IL
tel: (309) 965-2304
Contact: Marlene Brockman or
Terra Brockman at terrabooks@earthlink.net

The Brockmans are among the most committed organic farmers in Illinois. Since 1993 they have revitalized this family farm and brought exceptional organic produce to the region. Their specialty is unusual asian vegetables, but they also grow numerous others. They participate at the Evanston Farmers Market. Also listed under CSA's.HOME

HomeGrown Wisconsin
PO Box 258015
Madison, WI 53725
tel: (608) 967-9368
Contact: Rink DeVree
www.homegrownwisconsin.com
starfarm@mhtc.net

Home Grown Wisconsin is a cooperative of organic farmers near Madison who market their produce together. They participate at the Green City Market in Chicago. They also sell to Chicago area upscale restaurants.


Stella Gardens
W2493 County Road ES
East Troy, WI 53120
tel: (262) 642-3303
Contact: Janet Gamble
Stella Gardens is part of the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute which teaches people how to become organic farmers. They participate at the Wilmette Farmers Market.


Prarie Crossing Farm
568 Bluestem Road
Grayslake, IL 60030
tel: (847) 548-4030
Contact: Cathy Morgan
www.prairiecrossing.com

Prairie Crossing Farm operates its own farm stand and also participates at the Austin Farmers Market. Also listed under CSA's.

Rissman Organic Farm
10330 State Route 23
Waterman, IL 60556
tel: (815) 264-3487
Contact: Joel and Adela Rissman
www.rissmanorganicfarm.com
rissmanorganics@thestix.net

Rissman farm raises organic beef, pork and poultry. You can buy directly at their farm or they participate at the Oak Park farm market.

Teresa's Berry Farm
Rural Eureka, IL
tel: (309) 467-4251
Contact: Teresa Santiago
teresajeans@cs.com

Organic strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and kiwis. Many other fruits are on the way. Also gro ws herbs. Participates at the Evanston Farmers Market. Their fruit is also available through Henry's Farm (The Land) CSA delivered to Bloomington, IL. See Henry's Farm listing under CSA's.


Organic Pastures
Rural Eureka, IL
tel: ((309) 467-6006
Contact: Larry and Marilyn Wettstein

Certified organic beef, pork, chicken and eggs. Also organic grains and herbs. Delivered to Bloomington and Oak Park. Also listed under CSA's.


Dennis and Emily Wettstein
Rural Carlock, IL
tel: (309) 376-7291

Organic lamb, pork, beef, turkeys and eggs. Call for more information

Blue Skies Organic Raspberry Farm
Brooklyn, WI
tel: (608) 455-2803
Contact: Paul Maki
raspberi@execpc.com

Blue Skies grows organic raspberries which you can pick yourself at their farm. They alsoparticipate at the Green City Market at the Home Grown Wisonsin stand.


Trail's End Farm
Putnam, IL
tel: (815) 437-2606
Contact: Janet Morse

Trail's End has certified organic beef, eggs and goat milk. Contact them for availability and delivery information.


Pembrook Farmers Cooperative
3172 S. Main St. c/o PO Box 282
Hopkins Park, IL 60944
tel: (815) 944-9947
Contact: Johari Cole
ifarms@netzero.net

Located in Pembrook Township of Kankakee County, Pembrook Farmers is a cooperative of twelve African-American family farms. Originally, they got together to pool resources and share equipment and knowledge. Their most sought after product is their organic free-range chicken. It is used by some of Chicago's top restaurants including: Charlie Trotter's, Campagnola, Bistro Campagne and 302 West. The coop also produces vegetables and grains, beef, lamb and goats. Their products are available at the Austin Farmers Market in Chicago.

Growing Home Inc.
1325 S. Wabash #205
Chicago, Il 60605
tel: (312) 435-8601
Contact: Harry Rhodes
http://hrhodes@growinghomeinc.org

Farmers Markets

CHICAGO'S GREEN CITY MARKET
Located in Lincoln Park, just north of North Avenue on Clark Street. Wednesday mornings.
This market has a large number of organic farmers participating.

EVANSTON FARMERS MARKET
Located at Emerson and Oak streets in Evanston. Saturday mornings. This market has a
large number of organic farmers participating.

AUSTIN FARMERS MARKET
Located at Madison and Central in the westside Austin community. Saturday mornings.
Call for further information: (773) 921-1055

ANNUAL ORGANIC HARVEST FEST
Located outside the Thompson State of Illinois building . Held on the Wednesday after Labor Day. Contact Natural Needs for further information (847) 831-3653

Stores, Co-ops, and Buying Clubs

Most of the organic produce sold around Chicago is not locally grown. The big chain
supermakets, both natural food and convetional, buy mainly commercially grown organic
produce from California, Mexico, Florida and as far away as Chile. Here are some ideas
of places you are more apt to find locally grown produce. It's always best to ask the
seller where it's from.

NEW LEAF NATURAL GROCERY
1261 W. Loyola
Chicago, IL
tel: (773) 743-0400
Contact: Steve Parkes or Sara Stone
Organic and natural food grocery with delivery service available.
email contact information on website
www.newleafnatural.net

HYDE PARK CO-OP
1526 E. 55th. St.
Chicago, IL
tel: (773) 667-1444
www.hpcoop.org

SOUTH SUBURBAN CO-OP
21750 S. Main St.
Mattwson, IL
tel: (708) 747-2256

SHERWIN'S HEALTH FOODS
645 W. Diversey
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 477-1934

FOX & OBEL FOOD MARKET
401 E. Illinois
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 379-0146

TRUE NATURE FOODS
6034 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
(773) 465-6400


Buying Clubs are a way for families to get together, pool their orders and split up delivery, each family getting only what they pre-ordered. This gives consumers access to wholesale prices. Here are some local clubs you can speak to about joining.


OUTPOST NATURAL FOODS CO-OP
100 E. Capitol Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212
tel: (414) 961-2597
outpost@execpc.com
www.outpostcoop.com
and
7000 W. State St.
Wauwatosa, WI 53213
tel: (414) 778-2012


STONE SOUP FOOD CO-OP
Aurora, IL
tel: (630) 844-3285 or (844-0248
trwright@aol.co mSPROUT SHOP
Highland Park, IL
tel: (847) 831-3653
naturalneeds@home.com


WICKER PARK FOOD BUYING CLUB
Chicago, IL
tel: (773) 278-7677


CHICAGO COMMUNITARIAN COOPERATIVE
Serves north side of Chicago
tel: (312) 409-3696
To locate other buying clubs or to get information about starting one of your own contact:
Blooming Prairie Warehouse : ((800) 323-2131 www.bpco-op.com

Locally Made Organic Food Products

MU TOFU SHOP
1735 W. Greenleaf Ave.
Chicago, IL
tel: (773) 743-1339

Freshly made organic tofu and tempeh. Available at local natural food stores including
Whole Foods and at various Chicago restaurants, and can be bought through buying clubs.


NICOLE'S
1505 N. Kingsbury
Chicago, IL 60622
tel: (312) 640-8883

Nicole's Divine Crackers are made with certified organic grains. They can be found at local
food stores including Whole Foods. You can also buy them at the bakery where there is
a lovely small cafe for lunch only. Nicole's fabuluous breads baked and served there also
use organic grains.


RED HEN BAKERY
1623 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL
tel: (773) 342-6823

Red Hen bakes incredable artisan breads for top Chicago restaurants .They use organic
grains for the breads that they sell at the Chicago Green City Market. You can usually find
at least one organic bread at their bakery, Call ahead to be sure or ask to special order.


CHICAGO'S INDOOR GARDEN
5115 S. Millard
Chicago, IL
tel: (773) 284-0186

The Indoor Garden grows dozens of organic sprouts. They can be found in local natural
food stores and restaurants, and can be purchased through buying clubs. Look for them
at area farmers markets too.


THE HERBAL GARDEN
27373 W. Highway 176
Wauconda, IL 60084
tel: (847) 526-1839

Herbal Garden grows fresh organic herbs year-round. Their products can be found in area
grocery stores, natural food stores and restaurants. Wholesale only.


NOKOMIS FARMS
W2463 County Road ES
East Troy, WI 53120
tel: (414) 642-9665

Nokomis bakes high nutricianal breads that are all organic. They can be found at area
natural food stores including Whole Foods.

SIBBY'S PREMIUM ORGANIC ICE CREAM
S2987 Sebion Rd.
Westby, WI 54667
tel: (608) 634-3828

Sue Huber makes the most lucious certified organic premium ice cream near Madison, WI.
It is made from local organic cream from one of the Organic Valley co-op farms. It is not yet sold in Chicago but if you get up to Milwaukee, look for it at the Outpost co-op stores. We will list Chicago area outlets as they happen.


BUTLER FARMS
Whitehall, WI

Certified organic artisan sheep's milk cheeses including fresh ricotta and soft air-ripened cheeses like camembert. You can find th qeir cheese at the Evanston Farmers Market at the
Great American Cheese stand, at Chalet Gold Coast (Delaware & Rush)and Binny's, 3000 N. Clark,
both in Chicago. They can also be found in local fine restaurants.

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