Prairie Farm Corps CSA 

What is the Prairie Farm Corps?

The Prairie Farm Corps Program is a paid job training opportunity on a working organic farm for racially and economically diverse teens from central Lake County, Illinois.

Participants are involved in all aspects of a sustainable agriculture business from seed to market. Educational opportunities include farm work, workshops, field trips, and cooking sessions. The Prairie Farm Corps provides meaningful work, expands job skills, and strengthens participants’ connections to their food system, environment and community.   

 What is a CSA?

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a mutually beneficial relationship between a farmer and consumer.  Before the growing season, consumers purchase a CSA “share” from the farm. This provides money for seeds, equipment, repairs, tractor fuel, greenhouse heat, etc. — expenses that are incurred well before the farmer could normally receive farm income.  During the growing season, members receive a weekly box of farm-fresh seasonal produce, as well as a deeper relationship with the farmer who grew their food.   

When is the Prairie Farm Corps CSA?

June 22—August 10, 2012 — 8 weeks of healthy organic vegetables!  Pickup is on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Prairie Crossing Farmers Market, Station Square, 970 Harris Road, Grayslake. You will receive approximately 1/2 bushel of 6-8 varieties of  certified organic vegetables each week.  Eggs are not included in the CSA this year, but will be available for   purchase at the Prairie Crossing Farmers Market during CSA distribution.

What vegetables will I receive?

Your weekly CSA box will include a seasonal assortment of delicious certified organic produce grown at the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm! Vegetables include lettuce, broccoli, beets, carrots, kale, chard, tomatoes, peppers, onions, zucchini, cucumbers, garlic, spinach, basil, cilantro, squash, green beans, cabbage, tomatillos, fennel, kohlrabi, and peas.  Crop quantities and varieties may vary. Certain crops could fail due to weather, insects, or other causes. We will work hard to grow delicious vegetables for you!  All produce distributed through the CSA is grown at the Prairie Crossing Farm.   

Other CSA Benefits:

• Support a unique youth program that promotes job skills development, healthy eating, cooking skills,   sustainable agriculture, English learning for non-native speakers, diversity, and more. 
• Interact with the youth who grow your vegetables, be part of their Prairie Farm Corps experience, and know that you are making a difference!
• Receive weekly newsletter with Prairie Farm Corps news, student profiles, delicious recipes, updates on what is happening at the farm, and more.  Members may choose an electronic or paper CSA newsletter.
• Participate in the Celebration Dinner at the Byron Colby Barn on August 1. We will enjoy a delicious meal featuring vegetables grown on the farm, a hayride to the farm, and farm tours hosted by the Prairie Farm Corps students. Nominal event fee to be determined.

For better environmental stewardship, email will be the primary form of communication with CSA members.  Emails will be sent to confirm registration, and prior to the first week of distribution. Paper CSA newsletters will be available for those who prefer them.  All other subscribers will receive an electronic CSA newsletter.

If you are unable to pick up your CSA box, please have someone else pick it up for you. Uncollected CSA boxes will be donated to a local food pantry.  We regret that we will be unable to offer refunds for uncollected boxes.

The 8 week CSA costs $240.  A limited number of CSA shares are available, and are sold on a first come basis until membership numbers are met for the season. 

Register today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the produce grown?

All produce distributed through the CSA is grown at the Prairie Crossing Farm. Almost all is grown by the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm, but occasionally produce is obtained from other certified organic farms operating at the Prairie Crossing Farm including Sandhill Organics, Radical Root and Wild Goose Farms.  This produce is distributed to CSA customers to provide additional vegetable variety and diversity. 

How was last season?

In 2011, the weather was particularly challenging and provided Prairie Farm Corps participants with many different experiences as we dealt with extreme heat, violent winds, and periods of unrelenting rain.  Throughout these weather challenges, we continued to provide CSA members with  a 1/2 bushel box of 6-8 varieties of certified organic vegetables each week.