PHOTO GALLERY: Eight Weeks To Morton Grove Farmers' Market, Volunteers Visit a Farm

Last week I highlighted the new and returning vendors at our market this year. As market committee members, we strive to visit each and every farm at least once, to observe their growing practices as well as cultivate a relationship with them in their own backyard. 

Providence Farm, just an hour and a half northwest of Morton Grove, is comprised of more than 20 acres of pristine land. For the past 19 years, Randy and Elaine Book and their seven children have been living and working on their farm, growing produce and raising cattle for market. 

Laura and Craig Frisch and I, along with all our children, visited the farm Saturday afternoon to ensure that it met up to the Morton Grove Farmers' Market expectation for locally grown produce from our farms.

Randy and Elaine led a personal tour of the land including fields, irrigation systems, vegetable washing station, cooler, tractors, barn, cow pastures where the fertilizer is made (!), green house, and recreational areas where the family cools off after long hours of work. The MGFM committee members were impressed with the Books' methods to keep weeds to a minimum and increase plant growth by using natural fertilizer from the cattle and straw. Randy also told us that he's experimenting with different materials to enhance plant growth in the fields and the green house.

Simple ideas, such as using clear plastic tarps to warm the soil and encourage growth, were helpful for us novices to understand how he would have produce ready for market in just four weeks. His crops this year include raspberries, rhubarb, Egyptian walking onions, garlic, peas, spinach, lettuce, chives, and other fruits and vegetables. 

After a full afternoon touring the farm, feeding the cattle and chasing the working dogs, the kids and adults enjoyed some fun at the playhouse that Randy built for his family, with a few of the Books' children.  We can't wait to start enjoying the produce that we saw in its infancy!  Randy also said to be sure to come to the market with any gardening questions you might have, as this is his passion!

If you are interested in volunteering at the market, please contact us at manager@mgfarmersmarket.com. We need help with publicizing the market as well as helping at the Market Welcome Booth, set-up before the market starts or clean-up at the end of the market day.  

Market Stats: 

May 7, June 4 - October 15, 8am to 1pm, 8930 Waukegan Road, Morton Grove

Saturday, May 7:  Mother's Day Weekend Preview Sale (produce, jams, gifts, baskets, honey, salsas, meats, eggs, and so much more!