Amid the urban and suburban sprawl of Cook County there are pockets of agriculture, areas where people are using the land much as their predecessors have done for generations.
And like in less populated areas, September is harvest time — a perfect time to highlight the fresh produce that’s grown and sold locally.
With that in mind, Cook County Farm Bureau is encouraging Cook County residents to visit its website and download free passports to its 5th annual Farm Crawl.
The Passport to Agriculture entitles people to discounts and freebies at 23 Cook County farms and farm stands from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.
Last year’s Farm Crawl was virtual due to the pandemic, but this year participants can visit locations in person to purchase vegetables, fruits, perennial plants, herbs, fall flowers, locally raised honey, homemade jellies and jams, hemp-based CBD products and locally raised feed grains. They can also encounter some interesting animals.
“We have lots of specialty growers,” said Debbie Voltz, administrator of member engagement, communications and marketing for Cook County Farm Bureau. “This is what urban agriculture looks like.”
At Kopping Farms & Equestrian Center in Lemont, farm crawlers can see horses and beef cattle, and even pet a few alpacas. Kopping Farms is among several stops on the crawl that will offer tours.
Picking pecks of peppers, along with beets, string beans, cucumbers, tomatoes and other produce will be possible at Bultema’s Farmstand & Greenhouse in Lynwood. The farm stand will sell plenty of field-fresh produce as well.
Not far away, also in Lynwood, Clarke’s Garden Center & Stone Depot will be selling perennials as well as its usual rock and stone for landscaping projects.
At the bouquet bar at Deer Creek Farm in Glenwood, visitors can make their own flower arrangements using fresh cut flowers.
A behind the scenes look at where poinsettias and other indoor plants are grown is available at Ted’s Greenhouse in Tinley Park.
And for those interesting in raising chickens or other livestock, Ludwig’s Feed Store in Lemont and The Feed Store in Summit will be selling locally grown chicken and animal feeds.
With more than 42,000 members who live in its boundaries, the Cook County Farm Bureau claims to be “the country’s largest general farm organization.” It was established in 1920 to help educate growers and bring resources to local farmers, who at that time raised plenty of livestock and several crops including corn, soy and wheat.
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These days, the bureau bridges the gap between farmers and urban consumers through education programs targeting youth and their parents, but also through programs and events like the Farm Crawl, according to its website.
“We’re always trying to let people know the value of buying locally grown produce that’s in season,” Voltz said.
Another event along the crawl for those interested in growing their own produce will be the University of Illinois Extension’s Demonstration Farm on the Prairie State College satellite campus in Matteson, where activities conclude at 2 p.m., two hours earlier than the other locations.
Passport to Agriculture booklets can be downloaded at https://cookcfb.org/discover-local/farm-crawl-event or are available by emailing [email protected] or calling 708-354-3276. Crawlers who used the passport to verify their visits to various locations will be eligible to enter a drawing for $25 gift certificates redeemable at all participating locations.
Susan DeGrane is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.