Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A farmshare subscription is a partnership between our customer (“shareholder”) and our farm where the shareholder purchases a portion (or a “share”) of our farm’s upcoming harvest which guarantees them a portion of our delicious and nutritious vegetables.
The farmshare subscription model is a win-win: you secure your local, organic veggies for the season and we use your payment to plan, purchase and cultivate seeds, plant, nurture and harvest your veggies!
What we hear most often is our customers value knowing exactly where their veggies are grown; seeing the care and priority we place on farming sustainably and organically and, of course, how remarkably delicious our veggies are!
Shareholders also enjoy learning about different varieties of vegetables, having the flexibility to select exactly which veggies they prefer from each harvest and even trying veggies they’ve never tasted or even heard of before!
Yes! 100% of our produce is USDA certified organic.
Our Spring Season pickups begin mid-May (4 weeks – very limited availability), Main Season begins mid-June (20 weeks) and Late Fall Season is during the month of November (first 4 weeks). Ordering opens Dec. 1st and we recommend you make your purchase as soon as you can since we do sell out.
Yes, no matter where you pick up your veggies, you will have the opportunity to select exactly which you prefer from that week’s harvest!
On the farm, you will bring your own container/bag and shop your way through our market-style pickup in the barn to fulfill your shares. For our off-farm & contactless pickups, you will receive an email at the beginning of the week letting you know which veggies will be available that week. You’ll complete a brief form selecting your preferred vegetables and the amounts and then your farm-fresh, local, organic veggies will be harvested and delivered to your pickup location just for you!
In the Spring Season, the shares are full of greenhouse goodies including fresh lettuces, radishes, garlic scapes, basil, beet greens, arugula, spinach and more.
The Main Season is when the greatest variety of vegetables are grown and harvested. You’ll see all types of greens (kale, baby kale chard, Bok choy, spinach, head lettuce, arugula & collard greens), scallions, turnips, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, tomatillos, celery, broccoli, potatoes, leeks, cabbage, fennel, celeriac, beets, lots of summer & winter squash, garlic and cucumbers, just to name a few!
In addition, we offer “U-Pick” days where you have the opportunity to head into the fields to pick your own extras – cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, ground cherries, peas and a variety of green beans!
By the end of the growing year, you’ll delight in the Late Fall Shares’ abundance including squash, carrots, pie pumpkins, onions, potatoes, kale, and plenty more!
We aim to provide you with shares that allow you to explore a variety of vegetables, including both “staple” and unique veggies!
One of the best parts of our program is that you can order exactly what’s right for you/your family. Our Standard Size share is great for a family of 4 and veggie-enthusiasts and typically includes 8-10 different vegetable units each week. Our Personal Size is great for individuals, a small family, or if you’re unsure of where to start out and it includes 5-7 different vegetable units each week.
And, the same is true for the pickup frequency you select – you’ll want to consider what works best for your schedule and the volume of veggies you will want to consume. We recommend starting small as you can always stop by our farmstand for more!
When you become a shareholder, you will not only be able to select your freshly harvested, locally grown organic vegetables but you’ll also have our support and that of our shareholder community to make it a great veggie experience.
Being a shareholder is much more than simply picking up your vegetables each week. During the harvest season, you’ll receive our weekly newsletter connecting you with news from the farm, what options you can expect in your share that week and new recipes to explore. U-Pick opportunities on the farm will also be available throughout the Main Season allowing you and your family to get out in the fields to harvest your own cherry tomatoes, paste tomatoes, ground cherries, peas and green beans!
Year-round, we offer a number of farm events including our May Plant Sale (you’ll have first dibs on our organic seedlings), Farm to Fork Dinner, Shareholders’ U-Pick strawberries and Pizza Nights on the Farm.
We also partner with other local farms who bring their products to Green Earth Harvest throughout the growing season including: Flat Tire Farm (fruit), Hufendick Farm (eggs and humanely-raised meats), Seversons’ Organic Grains, and Sweet Pea’s Stems (cut flower bunches)!
While our vegetables are the main attraction, we also have wildflower honey from our hives right here at McDonald Farm along with products from our local farm partners who offer fruit, eggs, meats, organic grains & flowers throughout the growing season!
New in 2022! We are piloting a “Farm to Door” home delivery program to the following zip codes: 60440, 60490, 60504, 60532, 60540, 60563, 60564 & 60565 ($10 delivery fee per delivery will be applied).
Naperville – Green Earth Harvest
McDonald Farm -10S404 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville
Downers Grove
Private residence near Ogden & Main St., Downers Grove
Hinsdale
Redeemer Lutheran Church -139 E 1st St, Hinsdale
Lisle
1970 University Lane, Lisle
Lombard
Lombard Historical Society – 23 W Maple St, Lombard
Winfield
Private residence near County Farm & Jewell Rd., Winfield
Depending on your preferences – weekly or biweekly, pickups on the farm, at an off-farm location or home delivery; standard or personal size; Spring, Main and/or Late Fall Seasons, the average weekly cost is between $28-$53. With the farmshare model, our shareholders pay in advance for the full season, guaranteeing their portion of our harvest while financially enabling us to plan, prepare and plant for the year! (payment plans are available)
2022 Farmshares will be available for purchase to the public on December 1st through our website and to our shareholders and newsletter recipients in November. Payments can be made online using credit cards & e-check and payment plans of up to 4 months are available.
We understand conflicts can happen which is why, during our Main Season, we offer pickup options on Tuesdays and Fridays at the farm– come when you can!
Should that option not work for your situation or you’re picking up at an off-farm site, we suggest seeing if a friend or family member can pick up your share for you (or for themselves!). The good news is if you end up missing a week, your share is donated to our local food pantry, Loaves & Fishes, so your veggies will be used and appreciated no matter what.
If you prefer to discuss alternatives for unique situations, please contact Sheryl Fasone at SFasone@TheConservationFoundation.org or 630.428.5500 x154.
There are many ways to connect! We have a Farm to Work Wellness Program which is an opportunity for us to partner with organizations to bring our farmshares to your workplace.
Children’s camps on the farm are offered throughout the summer (more information here) and various volunteering opportunities are also available (click here).
The Conservation Foundation offers Conservation@Home, Conservation@Work and Nature Rx programs which promote connections with nature along with the preservation and restoration of our natural environments. Find out more here!
