Green houses, lesser effects
It's a fact of life in Kane County -- farmers sell their land, and houses spring up where cornfields once stood.
After the subdivisions are built, strip malls often follow, and a once-rural area is transformed into congested suburbia.
At least one new community plans to buck this trend and stay true to its farming roots -- and you're invited to check it out this weekend.
Serosun Farms, a conservation community in Hampshire, is hosting a fall harvest festival Saturday to introduce the public to the new development, and to showcase the conservation techniques developers are using as they build the community.
The 410-acre development is expected to get under way next year. It is about halfway through the development approval process in Kane County, said developer John DeWald, of John DeWald & Associates.
When complete, the development will have 114 estate homes, an equestrian center, a 160-acre organic farm, 260 acres of open space and farmland, an on-site farmers market and eight miles of recreational trails.
At the fall festival, entitled FarmFirst, the developer is hoping to show plans for the community to the public.
"It's partly just to celebrate fall. It's kind of a traditional thing to do from a farming perspective," DeWald said.
"It's also thanking the neighbors, and the community and the team that has helped us get through our development planning so far."
The festival will feature a barbecue with food and drinks, a band, entertainment and tours of the equestrian barn.
Also on hand will be people displaying information on conservation techniques such as geothermal and solar energy, prairie restoration, green landscaping and planting sustainable and organic crops.
There will be golf carts available to take visitors on tours of the site. Visitors also can see the equestrian barn, which is slated for expansion.
DeWald is hoping to turn Serosun Farms into a farm estate, with limited residential development. The developer is planning to restore and maintain 75 percent of the land as farm and open space.
The goal is to preserve the area's rural heritage, while also serving as a model for future transitional areas between suburbs and farmland, DeWald said.
"We're very proud of our plans and we actually think it's going to be a great example of how to move forward in the future, but also preserve the past," he said.
"FarmFirst is a great time for families to come visit our farm and see what we are up to. Our community will bring back a simpler, slower, more nature-oriented lifestyle.
"We're going to have live music, hayrides, apple tree planting … and kids can feed the horses," he said.
"We invite everyone to check us out."
The festival will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the development site, 45W 489 Berner Road.
For information or directions, visit www.serosunfarms.com or call (847) 683-9463.
If you go
What: FarmFirst, a fall harvest festival at Serosun Farms
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Serosun Farms, 45W489 Berner Road, Hampshire
How much? Free
Info: Call (847) 683-9463 or visit www.serosunfarms.com