Midnight Sun Farm
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CRAFT Farm Profile & Survey
Contact Information
Farm/Organization Name:
Midnight Sun Farm
Address:
18444 County Line Rd.
Harvard, IL 60033
Farm County:
Boone
Farm Website:
Contact First Name:
Nick
Contact Last Name:
Choate-Batchelder
Contact Email:
Farm Contact Phone:
(815) 354-3227
Preferred Time To Call (Be Specific):
Day
Farm Information
Farm Products & Services:
Herbs
Meat-Hogs/Pork
Plants or Seedlings
Poultry-Eggs
Poultry-Meat
Vegetables
Certification:
None
Marketing Methods:
CSA
Farmers Market
Direct to Grocery
Growing Practices:
Permaculture
Season Extension
Sustainable (Non-Certified Organic)
What percentage of your product(s) is marketed directly to the consumer?:
75-100%
Year of Farm Start:
2009
Total Acreage in Production:
10
Total Farm Acreage:
53
Geographic Area(s) [where products are sold]:
City of Chicago
Chicago Suburbs
Other areas of IL
Farm History:
We began farming in 2009 on land leased from the Prairie Crossing Farm Business Development Center. We served 20 CSA members and one farmers market that first year. Over the next four years, we expanded our operation to include pastured laying hens, turkeys, and pigs, and grew our CSA program and market presence in the Chicagoland area. In the fall of 2014, we moved to a new farm near Harvard, IL, where we rent a farmstead, pasture, and fields as part of a partnership with the farm's owners. In 2016, we will continue our CSA program and participation in the Glenwood Sunday Market.
Farm Description:
We have a commitment to using sustainable farming practices and selling our products locally. We grow our vegetables using organic practices as we work towards transitioning our new fields to organic certification. We also use farming practices that conserve soil and water and preserve the health of surrounding ecosystems.
Our laying hens, pigs, and turkeys are “pastured” - this term describes animals raised on a grassy, open area. We do our best to ensure that our livestock live a stress-free and healthy life in a natural and engaging environment. We also rotate some of our livestock pastures and vegetable fields to allow us to take advantage of the highly fertile manure that the animals leave behind.
In practice, this means that our fields are alive with bugs and wildlife, our acreage is surrounded by native vegetation, and we carefully scrutinize all inputs to our fields to ensure that they are safe for the land and for our customers. We are also committed to reusing and repurposing as much as
possible, and try to avoid the use of single-use supplies and equipment.
We promote community involvement through work-share and volunteer programs, and donate regularly to local food pantries. We actively seek sales avenues through which we can make our products available to a wider sector of the population.
Employee Information
Number of Employees (Year Round):
2
Number of Employees (Seasonal):
2
Number of Interns (Year Round):
0
Number of Interns (Seasonal):
0
Number of Volunteers (Year Round) - Including Worker Shares:
0
Number of Volunteers (Seasonal):
5
Describe any available positions on your farm for the upcoming season:
We are currently looking to fill two harvest help positions, late May through October, 25-30 hours a week. Competitive pay, great work environment and lots of fresh veggies!
Visitor Information
Are Visitors Welcome?:
Yes
Additional Information Regarding Visitors:
We welcome visitors, but ask that you please contact us to schedule a trip to the farm.