Since 1993, Peterson, director of an organic farm in Caledonia, Ill, has been one of the leaders in the growing movement of community supported agriculture -farms that sell shares of their crops to city dwellers.
Peterson's first "laboratory" crop of subscribers numbered 30; now the figure hovers at 850. Most are from the Chicago area, and for a set price they receive boxes of fresh produce throughout the harvest season.
"As a farmer, I really like to take care of the earth," Peterson says. "A central motivating force is to create a climate in which things can emerge authentically.... Organic and biodynamic farming can do that."
But Angelic Organics also has been reaching out to people who might otherwise not be exposed to farms. Since it opened as a CSA enterprise, it has attracted folks wanting to learn more about the farm. That growing interest evolved into the non-profit Learning Center, led by Tom Spaulding. It was launched last year to spread its message -and share its knowledge- with a variety of people, including inner-city and low-income groups. The center's various programs include a chili-growing project in Pilsen and working with Central American refugees, Peterson said. It has also helped generate money to subsidize farm shares for low-income families.
