northwest Illinois - Local Farm Markets.org

Looking for a local, true farmer's market in northwest Illinois?  Scroll down this page and you will see the farm markets, farm stands, roadside stands, produce markets, even garden fruit and vegetable stands and seasonal community farmer's markets in northwest Illinois, sorted by county. Markets offering organic or sustainably grown produce are identified by the words "organic" and/or "sustainable" in Green, next to their name. If they have a website, the name will be in blue and underlined; click on it and it will open their website.

And if you know of one I missed and want to add it or correct the information, please let me know!  

What's in season in May 2017, and other timely information:

May brings with it Spring and the ability to buy locally, especially in the deep South where fresh strawberries are available in Florida and Texas, followed by California. Cold weather crops, like spinach, some lettuces, peas, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, leeks and early onions being harvested in all but the colder regions. Many markets still have fresh winter squash, stored from last Autumn.

Farmer's Market Listings, by county

Click on Local resources above, if you need a county map

Bureau County

• Plow Creek Farm - Farm stand / farm market on a farm, Farmers market (multiple stalls or vendors), Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, all produce is sustainably grown, Honey from hives on the farm, porta-potties
  19000 Tiskilwa Bottom Road (c.r. 23), Tiskilwa, IL 61368. Phone: 815-646-4862. Email: farm@plowcreek.org. Open: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Market updates: Click here for updates. Directions: Tiskilwa, IL is located 8 miles south of Princeton (I-80). The farm is 1/2 mile east of Tiskilwa on Bottom Road (CR-23). Look for a bright yellow sign and white barn on the south side. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. Click here for our Facebook page.  Facebook: PrincetonFarmersMarket, Peoria - RiverFront - Market, LaSalleFarmersMarketStrawberry & Artisan Festival 2016 is on Saturday June 4th, 2016 from 11am to 2pm in downtown Tiskilwa. Berries and veggies at the Princeton, Peoria Riverfront and La Salle farmers markets. We are Certified naturally grown for all crops we grow. We also have a CSA available. How it works: You buy a CSA share to receive a box of Plow Creek Farm's produce each week for the growing season (18 or 22 weeks depending on pick-up location). The 18 week season for Peoria pick-up runs from June-September. The 22 week season for Evanston, Naperville, and on-farm (Tiskilwa) pick up runs from June-October. Shares differ each week depending on what is fresh and in season. Each week you will receive between 5-7 different types of vegetables. Fresh fruit will be part of the share most weeks(UPDATED: April 13, 2016) (UPDATED: January 17, 2016)

Carroll County

Henry County

• Teresa's Tasty Produce - Farm stand / farm market on a farm, Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, some produce is sustainably grown, Indoor market, Baked goods, Preserves, jams, jellies, gift shop, concessions / refreshment stand, restrooms, petting zoo, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
  112420 County Highway 5, Atkinson, IL 61235. Phone: 309 936-7792. Alternate Phone: 309 945-7865. Fax: 309 936-7399. Email: ttp@geneseo.net. Open: See our website for hours. Directions: Click here for a map and directions/a>. Payment: Cash, Check. (ADDED: March 21, 2011)

Jo Daviess County

• White's Berry Farm - No pesticides are used, Farm stand / farm market on a farm, Covered outdoor market, Preserves, jams, jellies, apples, asparagus, blackberries, corn (sweet), peaches, peppers, pumpkins, raspberries (red), raspberries (black), winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables,
  1729 N Blackjack Rd, Galena, IL 61036. Phone: 815-777-3106. Open: Friday - Wednesday 10am till around 5pm Closed on Thursdays Call for accurate times of operations as they do change based on product/produce availability. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Open from July to end of October. We do not use pesticides on the crops. Payment: Cash, Check. Asparagus-April and May, Raspberries- red or black-July, Blackberries- End of July till August, Garden produce- July-October, Peaches- July-First of September, Apples-September-October, Pumpkins, gourds, squash, fall items- September-end of October A few small animals located on site. All listed produce is based on season so call for availability. (UPDATED: May 02, 2012)

Lee County

Mercer County

Ogle County

Putnam County

Rock Island County

Stark County

Stephenson County

• Wishful Acres Farm - Farm stand / farm market on a farm, Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, all produce is sustainably grown, Fresh local eggs, beans, beets, broccoli, carrots, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, melons, onions, peppers, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, tomatoes, other vegetables, walnuts, Fresh eggs
  4679 N Flansburg Rd, Lena, IL 61032. Phone: 815-990-2380. Email: wishfulacres@gmail.com. Open: by appointment - email us. Directions: We are easy to find, right off of Highway 20, midway between Rockford and Galena, Illinois. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. Click here for our Facebook page. (ADDED: November 05, 2011)

Whiteside County

Winnebago County

• Colonial Village Market - Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables,
  1240 S. Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61108. Phone: (815) 398-3350. Open: See their website or call for hours. Directions: call for directions. Includes fresh fruits, vegetables, jams, pottery and baked treats.
• Edgebrook Center Market - Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables,
  1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61107. Phone: (815) 871-1557. Open: See their website or call for hours. Directions: call for directions. Sometimes has local musicians, too.
• Klehm Arboretum Market - Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables,
  2715 S. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61102. Phone: (815) 965-8146. Open: on Mondays only. Directions: call for directions.
• Margie's Grass Kickin' Chicken, LLC - Uses natural growing practices, Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, Fresh local eggs,
  8709 Elevator Road, Roscoe, IL 61073. Phone: 815-742-0008. Email: margieschickens@verizon.net. Open: See our website for current hours. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: google or give us a call. Chickens are pasture raised; It is best to pre-order chickens as they sell out fast; Call ahead for eggs; Our vegetable CSA is 20 weeks starting in the middle of June until late October; CSA delivery May be available in your area if at least 5 families are interested. We use natural practices, but are not seeking organic certification. Payment: Cash, Check. A limited amount of seasonal vegetables are available at the farm. Please call ahead to verify availability. A vegetable CSA is offered and you can also find us at the Beloit (WI) Farmer's Market on Saturdays. (ADDED: January 03, 2010)
• Midtown District Market - Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables,
  222 - 7th Street, Rockford, IL 61104. Phone: (815) 961-1269. Open: call for hours. Directions: call for directions.
• North End Commons Market - Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables, local crafts
  1416 N. Main Street, Rockford, IL 61103. Phone: (815) 962-1234. Open: See their website or call for hours. Directions: call for directions. There is a city parking lot behind the market.
• Orchard Ridge Farms - Uses natural growing practices, Roadside stand, Farm stand / farm market on a farm, Farmers market (multiple stalls or vendors), all produce is sustainably grown, Covered outdoor market, apples, pumpkins, Cider mill (fresh apple cider made on the premises), restrooms, picnic area, weddings and wedding parties, school tours
  6786 Yale Bridge Rd, Rockton, IL 61072. Phone: 815-629-2220. Email: JohnZydowicz@gmail.com. Open: See our website for current hours. Directions: West of Rockton and Beloit on Yale Bridge Road. Click here for a map and directions. Apples are available early September through October; Pumpkins are ripe around September 15th through October; Cider usually available around September 15th through November. We use natural practices, but are not yet certified Organic. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard. Click here for our Facebook page. Our property also features two large ponds and a large wooded area with hiking trails. The woods is currently being managed to encourage native species. Our apples are grown using 100% organic methods. We have a dozen different varieties of apples available in September and October. (ADDED: January 14, 2013)
• Perryville Farmer's Market - Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables,
  Perryville Rd. & Mill Road, Rockford, IL 61108. Phone: (815) 229-3000. Open: call for hours. Directions: located just south of E. State Street.
• River District Market - Wide variety of seasonal, locally grown fruits and vegetables,
  YMCA of Rock River Valley , 200 Y Blvd., Rockford, IL 61107. Phone: (815) 964-6221. Open: See their website or call for hours. Directions: call for directions.