Maize:
The Midwest’s Corn
Information on Learning Tour: Graue Mill and Naper Settlement
October 6th, 2017
Information on: Maize, The Heartland’s Corn Symposium
October 7th, 2017
Information on Learning Tour: Three Farms, an Orchard and a Fish Boil
October 8th, 2017
Sunday’s learning tour concludes our weekend with a visit to three farms, an orchard and a fish boil, which are all along the Illinois-Wisconsin border near Richmond and Hebron
Learning Tour:
Three Farms, an Orchard and a Fish Boil
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Time: 11:30 am
Congregate at:
Lakes Region Historical Society
Meeting House
977 Main Street
Antioch, IL 60002
If people want to consolidate cars, we can leave up 12 cars in their parking lot.
Gary’s Organik Farm
at Ginger Blossom Farm
3016 IL-173, Richmond, IL 60071
8519 E IL Route 173, Richmond, Illinois 60071
9805 Route 173, Hebron, IL
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
15908 Hebron Rd, Harvard, IL 60033
727 Main St, Genoa City, WI 53128
Tickets may be purchased by: check to Greater Midwest Foodways, 544 Michigan Ave, Highland Park, Illinois 60035 or use your credit card by phone 800-838-3006 or BrownPaperTickets.com. No refunds.
For more information and reservations, email greatermidwestfoodways@gmail.com or call 312-380-1665.
Cost: $35
In 1970, Lake County, Illinois was 80% agricultural and 20% residential. Thirty years later, the ratio flipped to 20% agricultural and 80% residential. Along the Illinois and Wisconsin border, there are a number of family farms. We will visit a select few, which are representative of a wide range of farming practices.
Gary’s Organik Farm at Ginger Blossom Farm
An organik farmer practicing organic farming methods, but forgoes organic registration due to the high expenses. Consequently, organic spelled with a ‘k’ is intentional.
Patyk Farm
A new to farming couple whose previous occupations were landscaper, plumber and fitness instructor. The husband grew up in Morton Grove. His Grandfather farmed acreage adjacent to where Old Orchard shopping center is located in Skokie, Illinois. The farming bug skipped a generation when his father did not wish to practice farming. This couple definitely practices the school of hard knocks, though every year they expand their efforts. They have a greenhouse for flowers, raise meat and egg chickens, cows for their milk and grow vegetables available via CSA, farmers markets and their farm market.
Von Bergen Farm
Next is a long established family farm which is technology driven with GPS and computer management. They have a produce market and practice agritourism at pumpkin time. We will meet Mike Von Bergen who will provide a talk and drive around the farm.
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
Our last farm is an orchard, which is now celebrating 20 years. The founder was formerly a housing developer. Ironically, almost all the apple orchards in Lake County are now subdivisions. It is scheduled we will meet with owner.
Fitzgerald’s Fish Boil
We will conclude with an early dinner of a Wisconsin Fish Boil just 15-20 minutes away from our last stop. We will arrive at 2:30 PM to see the show. The menu:
Boiled Cod with drawn butter
Honey BBQ chicken
BBQ Ribs
Coleslaw
Fresh rye bread
Sweet red potatoes and onions boiled in the pots with the fish.
Frosted apple square
Coffee, tea and soft drinks are included.
Cash bar.
Bring a cooler and an empty trunk to pick up produce along the way.
Please note, this date is the Chicago Marathon. You may want to get out of town early. Suggested stops for breakfast is The Point at IL-41 and Milwaukee Avenue or an early lunch at Captain Porky’s at IL-41 and Wadsworth Road.
This is not a public transportation friendly trip. If people wish to offer a ride or express the need for a ride, we will gladly alert the host driver. Riders should offer to share in the gas and work with the driver’s schedule.