Kuiper's family farm demonstrates new face of agriculture

As large commercial developments nibble away at more and more of our local farmland and Kane County morphs from a rural county to an urban one, the face of its agriculture is changing to keep pace. Disappearing are the large farm operations, being replaced with alternate forms of agriculture.

The movement to alternate forms of agriculture has many names: supplemental agriculture, sustained agriculture, organic farming, locally grown or regenerative farming. All of them incorporate a wide range of farming styles. What they share is a commitment to these major goals:

• environmental and human health,

• economic profitability,

• use of fewer fertilizers, pesticides and chemicals,

• localized food production, and

• equitable living and working conditions for farm workers.

A creative example of agritourism, one of these alternative operations, is the Kuiper Family Farm, located in Maple Park. The farm is owned by Wade and Kim Kuipers On its over 220 acres, the farm includes apple orchards, a pumpkin patch, and a wide variety of Christmas trees. The farm also has two gift shops that sell products such as fall and winter decorations, gourmet jams, jellies and apple cider.

Agritourism can be described as the act of attracting visitors to a working farm, agricultural, horticultural or other agribusiness operation to enjoy, be educated or participate in an activity. Examples include:

• Self-harvesting of produce (U-pick), farmer's markets and roadside stands

• Special events and festivals (music or harvest festivals, haunted house, holiday celebrations), hay or sleigh rides, and demonstrations (honey, apple butter or wine making, heritage crafts)

• Farm tours or day camps for families and school children

• Recreational activities (fee fishing, skeet shooting, corn maze, horseback riding, biking, hang gliding or hot air balloon rides, rock climbing/rappelling, cross country skiing

• Selling canned foods on a farm site (apple butter, relishes, wine, honey, jams & jellies), herbal or organic products (candles, potpourri, wool, handmade sweaters

"Sustainable agriculture looks a little different as each operation develops its own niche products, agritourism opportunities and other enterprises to maintain or supplement farm income," said Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Small Farm and Sustainable Agriculture Specialist with University of Illinois Extension.

University of Illinois Extension has been offering tours of alternative agriculture enterprises throughout Illinois that provide a behind-the-scenes look at small farms and other unique operations. The tours showcase the creativity of the small farm, and demonstrate the innovative practices and income-producing solutions being developed. They are a collaboration of University of Illinois Extension, the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Professional Development Program, the Agriculture Tourism Partners of Illinois, and the Agroecology/Sustainable Agriculture Program at the University of Illinois.

The final tour of the season will be from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 23 at Kuipers Family Farm. The public is invited to attend.

Cost to register for these tours is $20 per person and $10 for each additional family member. Children under the age of 10 are free. This fee includes lunch. Registration at least one week in advance is required. Visit http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/smallfarm/ag_tours.cfm to register and for more details about each of the tours including a map and agenda or contact Donna Cray (217-241-4644; dcray@uiuc.edu).

The Kuiper's tour is being co-sponsored by Agriculture Tourism Partners of Illinois and the University of Illinois Extension, Kane County.