Organic farm gears up for growing season

The air temperature indicates it's winter, but the organic farm in south Naperville is gearing up to begin spring planting in mid-March.

"Our first seeding will be onions, leeks and scallions," said Duncan Simonson, farm manager at the Green Earth Institute. "We will plant the seeds in plastic trays, germinate them indoors and transplant the seedlings into the field in mid-April."

The Green Earth Institute farms the land at the McDonald Farm, owned by The Conservation Foundation. Now in its 14th year, the group grows more than 50 vegetable and herb crops and sells the produce through its community-supported agriculture program.

In this model of farming, community members purchase a "share" of the farm's anticipated harvest and make payment in advance at an agreed price. In exchange, the farmers plant, cultivate, harvest, wash and distribute a wide selection of vegetables and herbs. Ultimately, the farmers and CSA members become partners in the production, distribution and consumption of locally grown food.

All of the food produced at Naperville farm is certified organic. Harvesting of the spring vegetables will start in mid-May. The CSA main season runs from mid-June through October. The year will wrap up with a late fall session during November.

Most CSA members come to the farm to pick up their vegetables weekly or biweekly. The farm crew also takes vegetables to pickup sites in Lombard, Western Springs and Winfield.

The Green Earth Institute is a nonprofit educational organization established in 2002. In addition to operating a thriving certified organic vegetable farm, the organization offers farm-centered educational programs for children and adults.

More information is available at www.GreenEarthInstitute.org.