The Farmplate Blog

NAME: Meg Runyan

FARM: wild Goose Farm

AGE: 32

Can you provide some brief background information about your farm? In your opinion, what makes it special or unique?

Wild Goose Farm is a part of the Farm Business Development Center at Prairie Crossing in Grayslake, IL. This program helps people who want to start farming but don't have access to land, infrastructure or capital. We refer to it as an "incubator program." Through the program we rent land, lease equipment and rent space in a greenhouse and cooler. It's a great way to get started in farming without having to make a big investment at the outset. Wild Goose Farm is also unique in that we are committed to feeding our local community. All our farmers markets are within 15 miles of the farm and CSA drop-offs are within 40 miles of the farm!

Why do you believe farming is important, particularly for the younger generation, and why did you decide to become a farmer? 

I think farming is important for all generations because it keeps us aware of who we are, and keeps us in relationship with the land and each other. No matter who we are, where we live or what we do, we have to eat. Food has to come from somewhere and someone has to grow it, whether you are eating a banana from Guatemala or a tomato from a local farm. No matter how technologically advanced society gets, we cannot escape the reality that we need the land to produce food and we need each other to grow it. 

Note: This post is part of FarmPlate's new series about young farmers. If you want to be included, know someone we should profile or have comments/questions about our series, please contact Jeff Gangemi at jgangemi@farmplate.com.