Asparagus Spears,
From Our Farm to You
From Our Farm to You
“Spears To You” begins its annual asparagus harvest in early May. The best varietals that includes Jersey Supreme and Millenial are available for purchase.
About Us
With the success of our test plots and our first acre of asparagus we have since expanded to 7 acres of asparagus. That’s a total of over 50,000 plants. The varietals that grew the best were Jersey Supreme and Millennial. The fields are prepped in the spring with nutrients and again in the summer. Weed control is a season long task. Our cover crop program helps in maintaining soil health and reducing the need for herbicides. Asparagus is an early season crop and harvest usually begins in early May with a season that lasts 4-6 weeks. We have multiple powered harvest carts that harvest fresh daily.
In addition to all of the field work we also finished construction in the new pole barn of a USDA GAP principles designed Asparagus processing plant. Diana and I both became certified in USDA GAP. We also maintain our Food Service Safety License. The new room is designed like new dairies or other food processing centers with total cleanliness as a top priority. Everything from the PVC wall and ceiling panels, waterproof lighting and electric, stainless steel triple sinks and equipment was done with attention to detail and a clean space. Our plant is equipped with a walk in cooler and a hydro-cooler designed to drop the temperature of harvested asparagus down as quick as possible to obtain the freshest product. We also traveled to France to purchase an Asparagus processing machine that washes, cuts and sorts asparagus by size. We are the first farm in the USA to have this piece of equipment. Every detail of asparagus production has been looked at from species type to plant, to growing maintaining and harvesting the spears. After harvest we wanted the best on farm asparagus processing room we could obtain and we have succeeded in that commitment to excellence. We even worked with a local box company to develop a carton capable of being recycled yet have the waterproof characteristics of wax lined traditional produce boxes that will not break down in land fills. All of our cartons this year will feature the new corrugated material that will recycle. We are currently in season three of developing an automated asparagus harvesting combine with an industry leader on the West Coast.
We sell direct at the farm and also have an honor fridge onsite for daily sales. If you are a restaurant owner with farm to table needs, or a CSA operator with product needs, a farm reseller, or a farmers market vendor, food bank, food Co-op, we have boxes of asparagus available in 10 or 30 lb quantities. You can call 630-779-6249 to discuss your needs or schedule a time to come out and check us out.
Products
- Jersey Supreme and Millennial are available in 1 lb. bundles and wholesale boxes of 10 and 30lbs.
- Great fresh, frozen, canned or pickled.
- Pickled asparagus available later this year.
- We are open on weekends, 9am to 4pm with U-pick available on the weekends.
- Self-serve fridge is open daily during the week.
FARM FACTS
Asparagus is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables in existence. It leads nearly all produce items in the wide array of nutrients it supplies in significant amounts for a healthy diet.
Asparagus is the leading supplier among vegetables of folic acid. A 5.3 ounce serving provides 60% of the recommended daily allowance for folacin which is necessary for blood cell formation, growth, and prevention of liver disease. Folacin has been shown to play a significant role in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, that cause paralysis and death in 2,500 babies each year. Its wealth of nutrients, fiber and very low sodium and calorie content make asparagus a nutritionally wise choice for today’s health-conscious consumer.
In addition to all of the field work we also finished construction in the new pole barn of a USDA GAP principles designed Asparagus processing plant. Diana and I both became certified in USDA GAP. The new room is designed like new dairies or other food processing centers with total cleanliness as a top priority.
Everything from the PVC wall and ceiling panels, waterproof lighting and electric, stainless steel triple sinks and equipment was done with attention to detail and a clean space. Our plant is equipped with a walk in cooler and a hydro-cooler designed to drop the temperature of harvested asparagus down as quick as possible to obtain the freshest product.
We will begin selling asparagus this year in May. It will be available fresh in quantities in one pound increments while supplies last for approximately six weeks. If you are a wholesaler, food pantry, grocery store or restaurant owner with farm to table needs, or a CSA operator with product needs we have boxes of asparagus available in 11 or 30 lb quantities.
You can find our asparagus in restaurants such as The Sand Bar in Twin Lakes, Dukes in Crystal Lake, 1776, small specialty grocers like Van Laars in Rockford or at many local farm stands like Glass Greens in Harvard, Patyk’s Farm In Richmond, Rubber Ducky in Twin Lakes, and Broadview farm in Marengo. Join our growing list- we would love to work with you.
You can call 630-779-6249 to discuss your needs or schedule a time to come out and check us out.
You can call 630-779-6249 to discuss your needs or schedule a time to come out and check us out.
