My husband and I are starting a small hobby farm where we focus on farm fresh vegetables and herbs without the use of pesticides in northern Lake County, Illinois. I found their way of life hard yet so fulfilling and peaceful. As I geared toward the big 40 this year, I realized that there had to be more to life than wearing an access control badge on a lanyard around my neck, swiping it through th
e revolving door every morning and every night as I left. I was searching for another way of providing income for my family. I was unhappy and miserable working in Corporate America, sitting at a desk all day under fluorescent lights taking orders and having to carry out missions that I did not agree with or didn't believe in. Certain things fell into place, and I realized one day that I had enough and I resigned. My next step, was to figure out what I was passionate about and what I could do to provide for my family. I looked around the house and everywhere I looked, I saw Hobby Farms magazines, Modern Farmer magazine, Burpee seeds catalogs and books on animals. I wanted to get back to my familial roots and make a difference in people's lives so I decided to start a vegetable farm incorporating new and old techniques with grow lights, some hydroponics and planting with a wheel hoe (without the mule) and no pesticides. Just natural insect and vermin repellants that have been used for years. My goals are to provide healthy food for the community as well as show others that you can make a living farming. I would like to inspire others to farm or garden as our ancestors did 3 generations ago. Farming is a dying industry that is being taken over by large corporations. Small farming is the only way to prevent large corporations from taking over the common man by providing fresh produce to the communities within a couple days of being picked. You cannot fully benefit from the vitamins even if you buy organic produce from the corporate grocery stores because they still have to be shipped from somewhere. Usually not local unless you live in Florida or California. So thank you to everyone who is interested in learning, growing and possibly purchasing my future summer vegetables. Let's go on this adventure together!! :) Happy Gardening!! Sincerely,
Caroline's Veggies (A Homegrown Experience)
