Little McHenry County Guide to CSA’s

A winter like we have had can have you longing for summer. If you are craving those fresh and bright fruits and vegetables of summer now is the time to start planning for it! I know it’s gray and cold, but local CSA’s are open with the promise of a spring bounty.

First off you may be wondering, what is a CSA?

CSA = Community-Supported Agriculture

It’s a system that connects the consumer (you) to the producer (farmers) that provides and investment in your health, community and local economy. You purchase a “share” from your selected farm and in exchange you get a box (bag or basket) of seasonal produce (or meat and eggs) on the agreed upon time frame for the growing season. It’s a great way to support farmers and supplement your local trips to the farmers market.

McHenry County CSA’s

McHenry County CSA’s with Pick-ups

Angelic Organics
Offers: Full vegetable share (20 deliveries) weekly, half vegetable share (10 deliveries) every other week. Also, offer extended season shares.
Pick-up Locations: Barrington, Cary

Hidden Hive Flowers
Offers: Bi-weekly hand-tied flower arrangements June through September
Pick-up location: Barrington

Nichols Farm
Offers: standard fruit and veggie share (22 weeks) Chef premium share (22 weeks), half fruit and vegetable share (11 weeks), Fall share (7 weeks)
Pick-up locations: Barrington, Crystal Lake, at the Farm in Marengo, home delivery

Sandhill Family Farms
Offers: pasture-raised broad-breasted turkey free from antibiotics, hormones and animal by-products.
Pick-up locations: Barrington

Beaver Creek Gardens
Offers: Limited to 40 members. Full and Half shares available for either 18 or 9 weeks.
Pick-up Location: at the farm in Poplar Grove

Midnight Sun Farm
Offers: Spring, Summer, and Fall vegetable shares and an egg share. Weekly, bi-weekly or flex scheduling of 6 dates through the summer.
Pick-up Locations: Woodstock, or on the farm in Harvard

Riemer Family Farm
Offers: pasture-raised quality beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey. and eggs.
Pick-up Location: Woodstock Farmers Market

Turtle Creek Gardens
Offers: Summer and fall full and half shares, certified organic vegetables.
Pick-up Location: Wauconda Lakes

Hometown Acres
Offers: Microgreens, grown fresh for your order for a monthly subscription.
Pick-up Location: Downtown Crystal Lake

M’s Organic Farm
Offers: Vegetable and organic free range egg shares.
Pick-up Location: on the farm in Woodstock

Trogg’s Hollow
Offers: Chemical free vegetable CSA available as a 3/4 bushel box or 1/2 bushel box for weekly or bi-weekly pick-up.
Pick-up Locations: on the farm in Poplar Grove, Huntley Farmers Market

Earth First Farms
Offers: Organic apple CSA with 5 lbs of apples every other week.
Pick-up Locations: Poplar Grove (Trogg’s Hollow)

Wild Roots Farm
Offers: Full, half and sample shares or organic vegetables.
Pick-up locations: Crystal Lake, McHenry, Harvard, limited home delivery.

CSA’s with Home Delivery to McHenry County

Middlebury Farms
Offers: Weekly or bi-weekly share of organic produce delivered to your door.

Wild Roots Farm
Offers: Full, half and sample shares or organic vegetables.
Limited home delivery in the McHenry County Area.

Nichols Farm
Offers: standard fruit and veggie share (22 weeks) Chef premium share (22 weeks), half fruit and vegetable share (11 weeks), Fall share (7 weeks)

When choosing your CSA:

• Location: Make sure you choose one that you will be willing to drive to as it will have to be the same one every week.
• Variety: Do you want organic? Fruits and vegetables or just vegetables? Do you want meat cheese and eggs too?
• Be realistic – midwest growing season can be unpredictable. Most run June through October but be prepared to supplement with trips to the market.

Are you a CSA member? Did we miss yours? Tells us about it in the comments!