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Earth Harvest Farm Lake Geneva, WI |
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a bit about Earth Harvest Farm… Who are we? We are what I’d like to call ‘the new family farm.’ Not growing up on a farm and in fact launching the business out of 2 large lots in a rural subdivision, we’re a bit different than the dairy farmers you think of when you think of farms. We grow everything naturally and organically (although are not certified organic). Farmer Katie Bjorkman opened Pura Vida Produce in 2006. The market garden she created was a way for her to see if she really wanted to farm, a passion she now lives daily. Taking a hiatus in 2007 to finish her bachelor’s degree in ecological agriculture, she studied in Sonoma County, California working on several farms while learning the ins and outs of sustainable agriculture. Jan, Katie’s mom, has become her right-hand woman and a true blessing this season. Helping with weeding, planting, watering, and keeping track of the little things, without her, running the place would prove to be very difficult. A musician and quilter, she squeezes her custom quilting and practicing into her day along with working in her perennial garden and taking care of our chickens. Organic Al, Katie’s dad, has become a great asset to the farm. A professor of botany and environmental science at North Park University in Chicago, he is a well-versed in most things farm related, particularly wildlife and native plant species. He plays a major role in the grass-fed beef side of the business and also understands the importance of native species. Al shares helpful reminders of reality, although Katie is often too stubborn to listen. Raul, Katie’s partner, is a reluctant farmer, brought into it not by choice, but by fate. He is extremely hard-working when lending a hand to tackle the weeds (using his tools of choice the weed-whacker and lawn-mower), although his ulterior motive is really to get Katie to be done earlier so he can see her more than 1 hour per day during the season!
The Farm Located behind Grand Geneva between Lake Geneva and Lyons, Earth Harvest Farm exists on three parcels of land. Most of the veggies are grown on Jan and Al’s land, where we also wash and pack our boxes. Shareholders have come to know this as the farm, although it doesn’t exactly look like one. Animals, tractors, and tools are kept at the farm down the road that does have big red barns, fences, and a few junk piles. Sorry to thoroughly confuse you, but that’s how we do it. In total, we use 4-5 acres for veggies and have 3 acres in cover crop. 2008 was the first season we offered local families ‘shares’ of the farm through our CSA program. The 30 shares sold out and we quickly had a waiting list. The year was a success, although there were many ups and downs thanks to the weather and other unforeseen challenges. We’re looking forward to 2009 with the expansion of our CSA to serve more local families and individuals Please join us ! |
