Meet Your Farmer - Lyndon Hartz
Meet Your Good Earth Food Alliance Farmer - Lyndon Hartz
The second in a series of questions and answers highlighting
the GEFA growers and producers.
Lyndon Hartz was raised in a family where they always had a large garden and everyone helped out - and Lyndon's parents and grandfather are still helping out. After graduating from Western Illinois University in 2004, Lyndon planted vegetables and fruits on 2 acres of his grandfather's land. His production has since grown to 10 1/2 of his own acres which include the winter production of greens in his hoophouses and perennial plants. Says Lyndon, "I never thought that I would become a farmer someday. It was something that my life drifted towards as I got older. I farm because I like being outdoors and seeing things start as a small seed into a large plant producing pounds of food. I farm because I believe there are flaws in the way people have become accustomed to flavorless, stringy, tasteless, chemical dependent food. I farm because there is a better way and I want as many people as possible to eat food like I do." 1. How did you choose the name Hartz Produce?
I combined my last name with a description of my business. Its simple and to the point!
2. Where is your business located?
Just outside of Wyoming, IL in Stark County
3. How long has Hartz Produce been in business?
Since the spring of 2004, after I graduated from college.
4. What products do you grow?
A wide variety of fruits and vegetables, a little bit of everything in the seed catalog.
5. Do you have a signature product?
Probably my green beans and carrots, I have a dedicated following at the farmers markets for both.
7. What do you enjoy most about running Hartz Produce?
Being outside in the sun, working the soil, planting and growing my crops. Being able to make the decisions, good or bad, that shape my farm into what it is.
8. What do you find most challenging about your work?
This year, the weather. It really takes a toll on a person to be out in the rain at least once a week, walking around in mud to get a crop harvested.
9. What is your philosophy/perspective on farming, agriculture, and sustainability?
I think conventional/industrial vegetable growing is a broken system and a system we shouldn’t move away from, but run like crazy from. When I can grow and harvest my crops, with the quality and quantity I am getting, I see no reason to use any chemicals. My fields are definitely weedier than most, but that doesn’t matter as much to me as a farmer.
10. Is there anything else you'd like others to know about Hartz Produce?
That I am very thankful to all of our customers who have helped us along the way. Without huge support from the customers, small farms like mine wouldn’t exist. And with continued support from our customers this alliance can grow and reach a bigger audience and start to really make an impact on the way people think about food and the earth in this community.
Good Earth Food Alliance CSA members:
- In a few days we'll be sending you a survey and asking for feedback about the CSA. We want to know what is working well for you and what isn't so we can better plan for next year.
- Linda Prescott is putting together some salsa and sauce kits. Look for those to be uploaded to our webstore Thursday.
- Basil's Harvest will be offering lamb cuts another week. Don't miss out. Once they're gone, they're gone!