A little background:  

The Local Growers' Network has historically been a business run under Vintages Tasting Room. Julie & Robert Haugland took a class in 2007 called the Central Illinois Farm Beginnings program, from which sprung The Local Growers' Network, a unique concept that brings small, family farms & gardeners together to produce quality locally grown food. Started in 2008 with a group of families from the Dahinda, Williamsfield, Elmwood, Galesburg & Alexis areas, this group had great success. So much so, that The Local Growers' Network even received acclaim in January of 2009 with an article printed in The Radish Magazine. The magazine also honored us with the Radish Award given for an innovative program.

Our mission:  

The Local Growers' Network can play a vital role in reinvigorating the family farm, supporting stewardship and revitalizing our rural community. We are committed to consumer education, product quality and supporting Knox County by selling produce grown locally by family farms. We choose to sell high quality, fresh food near our farms, so it doesn't have to travel many miles to our customer's tables. 

Delivering fresh food to Knox County:

For the first 4 seasons we had a weekly e-Harvest Update that went out via email to interested customers. Customers would then place orders via email and would pick up their fresh produce and value-added products at Vintages. In addition, we have been provided limited fresh produce to Innkeepers, The Landmark Creperie, Knox College & Q's Cafe. We have teamed up with the Food for Thought Club at Knox College to work with interested students to create an on-farm work program, which we are quite enthusiastic about. 

For the retail consumer in 2012: 

The LGN has been evolving since its inception 4 years ago. We realize that there are a number of customers who are concerned about the LGN concept ceasing to exist and we would like to honor your desire and need for healthy, farm fresh, delicious produce in 2012. Now in its 5^th year, we are morphing into a more standard CSA. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer. Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included, like eggs, bread, honey, etc. Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. We have attempted to use other methods to deliver our fresh food, but discovered that they were simply too cumbersome and time consuming. We feel that this will be the simplest and most direct way to connect with our customers who are interested in locally produced food.
A core group of our former LGN farm families will be participating in growing for LGN’s CSA. Those include (but are not limited to):

                                                  Frog Pond Farm, Dahinda IL – Robert & Julie Haugland

The Backwoods Farm, Oneida, IL – George & Cheryl Woods

There is an important concept woven into the CSA model that takes the arrangement beyond the usual commercial transaction. That is the notion of shared risk. The idea of shared risk is part of what creates a sense of community among members, and between members and the farmers. If a hailstorm takes out all the peppers, everyone is disappointed together, and together cheer on the winter squash and broccoli. Most CSA farmers feel a great sense of responsibility to their members, and when certain crops are scarce, they make sure the CSA gets served first. Still, it is worth noting that very occasionally things go wrong on a farm – like they do in any kind of business – and the expected is not delivered, and members feel shortchanged. We vow that we will try our very best to see that our customers receive the highest quality that we can grow. If at any time you are disappointed, please communicate with us so we can rectify the problem as much as we are able.

Sometimes complaints from CSA members happen in situations where it appears that nothing really went wrong, but the member had unreasonable expectations. In the hope of minimizing disappointment and maximizing satisfaction, we've included a guide with some tips for potential CSA members.

Our CSA will run for 18 weeks, between mid-May and September. So, if vacation/illness/out of town plans makes pick-up during one or more of these weeks impossible, you simply extend your order into September to make up for missed weeks. We have formatted shares in 2 sizes...for small families or those who don’t consume a volume of veggies and a standard size for vegetarians or larger units. While shares may include eggs, bread & baked goods, and locally smoked meats, you are welcome to include add-ons. We are planning on growing a minimum of 35-40 different vegetables and fruits that will be included in our CSA. As the weather permits these to be harvested they will. The Local Growers’ Network has a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/groups/171108540612/. We will utilize that page throughout the season to post what is being harvested when along with recipes and storing guides.

We have designed 2 sizes of shares for you, our customer, with your needs in mind. Plus add-ons for those who desire even more fresh, local food!

1/2 SHARE for 1 to 2 ppl  @  $250.00 (equals $12.50 week)

              (we offer a $25 discount if reserved and paid in full prior to April 15)

FULL SHARE for 3 or more ppl  @ $500.00 (equals $25.00 week)

              (we offer a $50 discount if reserved and paid in full prior to April 15)

LOCAL FARM FRESH EGGS WEEKLY SHARE @ $50.00 additional

                  (this brings eggs to only $2.77 per dozen over 18 weeks)

Q’s CAFE WEEKLY SHARE @ $130.00 additional
              (this may include smoked meats, bread, sauces, entrees, soups, etc.)