We grow healthy.
The Conservation Foundation’s Green Earth Harvest certified organic farm program is devoted to healthy soil, healthy vegetables, healthy people, and healthy communities. We create a place where local farmers and eaters who value responsibly grown, delicious food come together to do their part to support local farming, connect with the land, and delight in exploring the seasonal, certified organic harvest.
OUR 2024 SEASON FARMSHARE SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
Scroll down to learn more about our farm and farmshare program, and, if you have specific questions, visit our comprehensive FAQ page by clicking below!
Want to receive monthly updates on all things Green Earth Harvest? Sign up for our monthly newsletter below!
About The green earth harvest Program
Since 2002, we’ve organically grown vegetables for our community here on McDonald Farm in Naperville, home of The Conservation Foundation. We farm on 49 acres with 9 farm crew members, 4 greenhouses and 2 tractors. We proudly grow for over 700 families who participate in our farmshare program, plus an additional 600 families through our farm to food pantry programs and our weekly summer farm stands.
Shareholders
Through our farmshare model, members of the community purchase a “share” of the farm’s anticipated harvest in advance of the season, becoming “shareholders,” which guarantees their share of our seasonal harvest and funds the work of the upcoming season. In exchange, we plant, cultivate, harvest, and distribute a bountiful selection of organic vegetables. We offer a “You Choose” program, where every person selects exactly what they’d like to take home from the harvest !
Farm Experience
We offer shareholders a unique opportunity to experience a real working farm right here in Naperville! Throughout the summer, there are many opportunities to connect with the farm such as U-pick days (peas, green beans, and cherry tomatoes), Pizza Nights on the Farm, farm tours, and summer camps. Shareholders enjoy visits from our local farm partners who bring their local fruit, meat, eggs, milk, flowers, organic grains, flour, and breads!
community partners
In addition to being a program of The Conservation Foundation, we partner with other nonprofits and local farms to bring our communities together on this precious protected land. During our growing season, we typically provide around 5,000 pounds of produce to Loaves and Fishes, a local food pantry supporting those in need. Please let us know if you’re interested in partnering with us, we’d love to hear from you.
ORGANIC & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
We are proud to say that our crops are USDA certified organic produce. Our farming practices meet the strict standards of the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP). Annually, our farm undergoes a rigorous certification renewal process that involves detailed documentation of our field plans, pest mitigation, sources for seeds (and other inputs), and produce handling processes. We practice crop rotation, plant cover crops, utilize natural inputs to nurture the soil, and don’t use any non-organic approved fertilizers to help ensure the highest quality of soil fertility possible, giving you incredibly nutritious – not to mention delicious – veggies! You can taste the difference.
Farmshare Options
You will have a few options to make your farmshare experience just the right one for you and your family.
First, you’ll select the season or seasons: Spring Greens (4 weeks), Main (20 weeks) or Late Fall (4 weeks). Participate in all 3 (while available) or just one – whatever works best for you!
Next, you’ll want to determine how often you’d like to enjoy a share of our harvest and what your schedule will allow. We offer weekly or every-other-week options across all locations PLUS a limited number of farmshare sampler shares (five farm pickups anytime during the 20 week Main Season).
Then, you will select the best pickup location for you. Come to our farm in Naperville or one of our five off-farm pickup sites. We also offer home delivery for select zip codes in Naperville and contactless pickup at the farm!
Finally, you will want to determine how much of the harvest you’ll want to take home. We offer two sizes: Our Standard Size share is great for larger families and veggie-centric homes. Our Personal Size share is a good fit for smaller households and can be a great place to begin your farmshare journey if you’re unsure.
No matter how you customize your farmshare, you will select exactly which vegetables you’d like to take home from each harvest, allowing you to make your farmshare experience just right for you!
Picking Up Vegetables
Check out what it’s like to pick up a share at the farm and see what a veggie “unit” looks like by joining Lea at a pickup!
Recipe collection
Wondering how to use your fresh, seasonal produce? We’ve got ideas! In our carefully curated Recipe Repository, you’ll find vegetable storage and preparation tips, along with a whole catalog of recipes we’ve collected over the years. When you become a shareholder, you’ll also receive our farm’s weekly newsletter with recipe inspirations for the harvest, a “Veggie of the Week” spotlight to help you learn more about what’s being grown, and other resources to make your farmshare experience one you’ll look forward to week after week and year after year.
Connect With Us
You are always welcome to contact Green Earth Harvest’s Business Manager, Sheryl Fasone, with any questions about Green Earth Harvest. Email her at [email protected] or call her at (630) 428-4500, Ext. 154.
