ABOUT LEAF
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The Little Egypt Alliance of Farmers (LEAF), a farmer-owned business, was started in 2016. We are organized as an LLC, but function as a cooperative. We work together each week to pack and distribute food to 12 locations and home delivery in a 6 county area in the Southern Illinois region.
OUR GOALS: To reach families that do not have access to locally grown and/or are food insecure; and to support small farmers, keeping money in our local economy. We strive to make fresh local food attainable for all. OUR MISSION: To feed Southern Illinois by providing locally grown, nutrient dense food to families and individuals. * designates founding member |
Meet Our Farmers & Makers
BackAchers Farm *
Farmer: Phil Mendenhall
Location: Anna, IL
Specialties: Berries and Grass-fed Beef
Farm Bio: Phil Mendenhall has been farming 36 acres south of Anna since 2010. The farm has over 200 mature blueberry bushes, a small grove of fruit trees, blackberries, and a 1.5 acre plot for vegetable production. The cows are rotationally grazed on 30 acres of fresh pasture with a spring fed creek. Being close to the land has been a life-long dream for Phil, who is committed to improving the soil and providing habitat for wildlife. Phil is happy to provide food for his family, neighbors, and community through his farming endeavors.
Farmer: Phil Mendenhall
Location: Anna, IL
Specialties: Berries and Grass-fed Beef
Farm Bio: Phil Mendenhall has been farming 36 acres south of Anna since 2010. The farm has over 200 mature blueberry bushes, a small grove of fruit trees, blackberries, and a 1.5 acre plot for vegetable production. The cows are rotationally grazed on 30 acres of fresh pasture with a spring fed creek. Being close to the land has been a life-long dream for Phil, who is committed to improving the soil and providing habitat for wildlife. Phil is happy to provide food for his family, neighbors, and community through his farming endeavors.
Flora Bay Farm *
Farmher: Courtney Smith
Location: Carbondale, IL
Specialties: Certified Naturally Grown Seasonal Cut Flowers and Herbs
www.florabayfarm.com
Farm Bio: Since 2014, Flora Bay has continued to grow, inspired by nature. Flora Bay has achieved the Certified Naturally Grown certification, a farmer-led organization based on the standards of the National Organic Program. Offering a diverse variety of flowers, herbs, hops, fruits and vegetables, specializing with heirloom and open-pollinated varieties. Farmher Courtney works to build the health of the soil utilizing permaculture and bio-intensive practices, while also offering habitat to wildlife and pollinators.
Farmher: Courtney Smith
Location: Carbondale, IL
Specialties: Certified Naturally Grown Seasonal Cut Flowers and Herbs
www.florabayfarm.com
Farm Bio: Since 2014, Flora Bay has continued to grow, inspired by nature. Flora Bay has achieved the Certified Naturally Grown certification, a farmer-led organization based on the standards of the National Organic Program. Offering a diverse variety of flowers, herbs, hops, fruits and vegetables, specializing with heirloom and open-pollinated varieties. Farmher Courtney works to build the health of the soil utilizing permaculture and bio-intensive practices, while also offering habitat to wildlife and pollinators.
River to River Farm *
Farmers: Tam and John Pirmann
Location: Tunnel Hill, IL
Specialties: Small batch artisanal pasta and grain products
www.rivertoriverfarm.com
Farm Bio: River to River is a small diversified farm located near Tunnel Hill in Southern Illinois. Surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest, their farm rests upon a watershed divide between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. This both literally and figuratively connects them to the land from river to river. Tam and John farm and live as sustainably as possible. Retired from the Navy, John and Tam Pirmann have returned to their home in Southern Illinois to live out their dream of living off the land. They grow and craft products that are good for your body, inside and out. They offer goats milk and honey soaps and lotions. They also offer small batch artisanal pasta made with organically grown Illinois flour and herbs from the farm, and other grain products.
Farmers: Tam and John Pirmann
Location: Tunnel Hill, IL
Specialties: Small batch artisanal pasta and grain products
www.rivertoriverfarm.com
Farm Bio: River to River is a small diversified farm located near Tunnel Hill in Southern Illinois. Surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest, their farm rests upon a watershed divide between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. This both literally and figuratively connects them to the land from river to river. Tam and John farm and live as sustainably as possible. Retired from the Navy, John and Tam Pirmann have returned to their home in Southern Illinois to live out their dream of living off the land. They grow and craft products that are good for your body, inside and out. They offer goats milk and honey soaps and lotions. They also offer small batch artisanal pasta made with organically grown Illinois flour and herbs from the farm, and other grain products.
All Seasons Farm
Farmer: Jill Rendelman
Location: Cobden, IL
Specialties: Certified Organic Produce
www.allseasons-farm.com
Farm Bio: All Seasons Farm grows Certified Organic vegetables and fruit focusing on exceptional taste and quality. Select heirloom varieties, no genetically modified plants, organic inputs and spring fed irrigation help to grow food that is sweetened by nature and nutritionally dense. All Seasons grows year round on protected small raised bed plots, using low or no carbon tools, intensively growing large amounts of nutritionally dense, in season produce.
Farmer: Jill Rendelman
Location: Cobden, IL
Specialties: Certified Organic Produce
www.allseasons-farm.com
Farm Bio: All Seasons Farm grows Certified Organic vegetables and fruit focusing on exceptional taste and quality. Select heirloom varieties, no genetically modified plants, organic inputs and spring fed irrigation help to grow food that is sweetened by nature and nutritionally dense. All Seasons grows year round on protected small raised bed plots, using low or no carbon tools, intensively growing large amounts of nutritionally dense, in season produce.
Flyway Family Farm
Farmers: Michael and Jessica Hatfield
Location: Makanda, IL
Specialties: Mushrooms
www.flywayfamilyfarm.com
Farm Bio: The Hatfield family (Michael, Jessica, Iris, & Oliver) of Flyway Family Farm have been specializing in naturally grown, gourmet mushrooms for nearly a decade. Nestled in the heart of Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, the Hatfield's grow up to 10 varieties of mushrooms year round in a climate controlled, indoor facility.
Farmers: Michael and Jessica Hatfield
Location: Makanda, IL
Specialties: Mushrooms
www.flywayfamilyfarm.com
Farm Bio: The Hatfield family (Michael, Jessica, Iris, & Oliver) of Flyway Family Farm have been specializing in naturally grown, gourmet mushrooms for nearly a decade. Nestled in the heart of Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge, the Hatfield's grow up to 10 varieties of mushrooms year round in a climate controlled, indoor facility.
Angie's Honey
Bee Keeper: Angie Kuehl
Location: Pomona, IL
Specialties: Honey and Bee Products
Farm Bio: Hives located in Jackson and Union counties produce raw honey, bee's wax and affiliated products. Angie also helps execute honey bee removals/rescues/and swarm captures.
Bee Keeper: Angie Kuehl
Location: Pomona, IL
Specialties: Honey and Bee Products
Farm Bio: Hives located in Jackson and Union counties produce raw honey, bee's wax and affiliated products. Angie also helps execute honey bee removals/rescues/and swarm captures.
Flo-Dough Breads
Bread Maker: Angela Reinoehl
Location: Carbondale, IL
Specialties: Breads and Bagels
Maker Bio: Angela bakes a lot of delicious bread and bagels.
Bread Maker: Angela Reinoehl
Location: Carbondale, IL
Specialties: Breads and Bagels
Maker Bio: Angela bakes a lot of delicious bread and bagels.
Glaciers End
Maker: Derek and Libby Ervin
Location: Johnston City
Specialties: fruit butters, jams, jellies, preserves and syrups made from our orchard and gardens
www.glaciersend.com
Maker Bio: Glaciers End, was started by Derek and Libby Ervin, who relocated to beautiful Southern Illinois from Chicago after inheriting the family farm. Glaciers End is an agribusiness focused on cultivating rare and unique varieties of fruit and vegetables. We are also focused on creating delicious value-added products for your kitchen and cellar. Although we are not certified organic, we do not use any sprays that are not OMRI certified.
Maker: Derek and Libby Ervin
Location: Johnston City
Specialties: fruit butters, jams, jellies, preserves and syrups made from our orchard and gardens
www.glaciersend.com
Maker Bio: Glaciers End, was started by Derek and Libby Ervin, who relocated to beautiful Southern Illinois from Chicago after inheriting the family farm. Glaciers End is an agribusiness focused on cultivating rare and unique varieties of fruit and vegetables. We are also focused on creating delicious value-added products for your kitchen and cellar. Although we are not certified organic, we do not use any sprays that are not OMRI certified.
One Circle Eco Farm
Maker: Blayne & Payton Harris
Location: DuQuion
Specialty: Pork & vegetables
Maker Bio: One Circle Eco-Farm is an experimental farm dedicated to capturing local waste streams for growing fertility, food and biodiversity. We grow beyond “organic” with an emphasis on polyculture plantings, and bio-integrated production systems. Our farm is managed using a guiding ethic rooted in permaculture and deep ecology. We strive to make high quality chemical free food more accessible and demonstrate a model of agriculture that leaves farmer, planet and community in a better place than they began.
Maker: Blayne & Payton Harris
Location: DuQuion
Specialty: Pork & vegetables
Maker Bio: One Circle Eco-Farm is an experimental farm dedicated to capturing local waste streams for growing fertility, food and biodiversity. We grow beyond “organic” with an emphasis on polyculture plantings, and bio-integrated production systems. Our farm is managed using a guiding ethic rooted in permaculture and deep ecology. We strive to make high quality chemical free food more accessible and demonstrate a model of agriculture that leaves farmer, planet and community in a better place than they began.
Baetje Farms
Owner: Shanna Starnes
Location: Bloomsdale, MO
Speciality: Goat Milk Cheese
https://baetjefarms.com/
Farm Bio: At Baetje Farms we hold ourselves to very high standards. We believe the best cheese comes from the best milk that comes from animals in the best physical condition. In every bite you can taste the passion and dedication that goes into each product.
Owner: Shanna Starnes
Location: Bloomsdale, MO
Speciality: Goat Milk Cheese
https://baetjefarms.com/
Farm Bio: At Baetje Farms we hold ourselves to very high standards. We believe the best cheese comes from the best milk that comes from animals in the best physical condition. In every bite you can taste the passion and dedication that goes into each product.
Bison Bluff Farm
Owners: Clifton Howell & Family
Location: Cobden
Specialty: Bison Products
https://www.bisonblufffarms.com/
Farm Bio: Bison Bluff Farms, owned and operated by the Howell family, is a picturesque farmstead nestled cozily on 1000 acres of green farmland and bluffs near Cobden, Illinois. Throughout their lives, the bison are rotated between pastures, free to roam and graze on the vast, scenic farm land and varying vegetation. The animals are grass-fed then grain-finished, free of hormones and chemicals. The herd is robust, steroid-free, natural and unadulterated.
Owners: Clifton Howell & Family
Location: Cobden
Specialty: Bison Products
https://www.bisonblufffarms.com/
Farm Bio: Bison Bluff Farms, owned and operated by the Howell family, is a picturesque farmstead nestled cozily on 1000 acres of green farmland and bluffs near Cobden, Illinois. Throughout their lives, the bison are rotated between pastures, free to roam and graze on the vast, scenic farm land and varying vegetation. The animals are grass-fed then grain-finished, free of hormones and chemicals. The herd is robust, steroid-free, natural and unadulterated.
Autumn Ridge Farm
Owner: James Hubbard
Location: DeSoto
Specialty: Microgreens, CBD Flowers, Vegetables
Farm Bio: We believe that natural and fresh food is fundamental to a healthy lifestyle. Our mission is to grow quality, nutritious produce, while engaging with the community by providing family friendly activities and events. We also promote sustainable and socially responsible farming by using the most environmentally friendly growing techniques. The soil and the environment should be left in better condition than we found it, which is why regenerative agriculture is important to the Autumn Ridge family.
Owner: James Hubbard
Location: DeSoto
Specialty: Microgreens, CBD Flowers, Vegetables
Farm Bio: We believe that natural and fresh food is fundamental to a healthy lifestyle. Our mission is to grow quality, nutritious produce, while engaging with the community by providing family friendly activities and events. We also promote sustainable and socially responsible farming by using the most environmentally friendly growing techniques. The soil and the environment should be left in better condition than we found it, which is why regenerative agriculture is important to the Autumn Ridge family.
The Flock Farm
Owners: Brent Glays and family
Speciality: Chicken, Lamb, Pork & Turkey
https://www.facebook.com/theflockfarmsoil/
Farm Bio: We’re a young farming family specializing in pasture raised lamb, goat, and poultry in Anna, Illinois. Our farm was established in 2018 and we are so proud to be certified Grass-fed and Animal Welfare Approved.
Owners: Brent Glays and family
Speciality: Chicken, Lamb, Pork & Turkey
https://www.facebook.com/theflockfarmsoil/
Farm Bio: We’re a young farming family specializing in pasture raised lamb, goat, and poultry in Anna, Illinois. Our farm was established in 2018 and we are so proud to be certified Grass-fed and Animal Welfare Approved.
Heather's BakeShop & More
Owner: Heather Lange
Location: Carterville
Specialty: Baked Goods
https://www.heathersbakeshop.com/
Maker Bio: Heather's Bakeshop & More offers unique sweet treats to enjoy and share with anyone. A foodie at heart, just baking our way to the top. We make quick breads/muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, chai tea mix, and many more items you will just have to check out for yourself! We currently sell here on LEAF, the Marion farmers market, and the Carterville farmers market.
Owner: Heather Lange
Location: Carterville
Specialty: Baked Goods
https://www.heathersbakeshop.com/
Maker Bio: Heather's Bakeshop & More offers unique sweet treats to enjoy and share with anyone. A foodie at heart, just baking our way to the top. We make quick breads/muffins, cinnamon rolls, cookies, chai tea mix, and many more items you will just have to check out for yourself! We currently sell here on LEAF, the Marion farmers market, and the Carterville farmers market.
Pink Tiger Farm
Owners: Brian Elias & Kyle McAdams
Location: Goreville
Specialty: Spice blends, infused vinegars
www.pinktigerfarm.com
Maker Bio: Pink Tiger Farm is LGBTQ owned and operated by Brian Elias and Kyle McAdams. With our combined love of gardening and cooking, we packed our bags and moved from Chicago to rural southern Illinois to start a small farm focusing on farm-to-jar chili powders, spice blends, infused vinegars, and other culinary treats.
Owners: Brian Elias & Kyle McAdams
Location: Goreville
Specialty: Spice blends, infused vinegars
www.pinktigerfarm.com
Maker Bio: Pink Tiger Farm is LGBTQ owned and operated by Brian Elias and Kyle McAdams. With our combined love of gardening and cooking, we packed our bags and moved from Chicago to rural southern Illinois to start a small farm focusing on farm-to-jar chili powders, spice blends, infused vinegars, and other culinary treats.
Cold Blooded Coffee & Roastery
Owner: TJ Cowan
Location: Murphysboro
Specialty: Organic/Fair Trade Specialty Coffee
https://coldbloodedcoffeeandroastery.com
Maker Bio: As an entrepreneur and Industrial engineer, TJ has always focused on adding value. "Whether its craft coffee, bourbon barrel aging or sourcing beans from around the world there’s a formula for success". While the company was formed in 2017, his dedication shifted away from leading teams in the defense and healthcare industry and went all in. TJ’s time is now spent mentoring business owners and students, new product development and business growth. "We’ve been able to build phenomenal relationships with our community and strengthen the principles that drive us. We have a very strong team that continues to grow." Our job is to first love people, everything else is secondary.
Owner: TJ Cowan
Location: Murphysboro
Specialty: Organic/Fair Trade Specialty Coffee
https://coldbloodedcoffeeandroastery.com
Maker Bio: As an entrepreneur and Industrial engineer, TJ has always focused on adding value. "Whether its craft coffee, bourbon barrel aging or sourcing beans from around the world there’s a formula for success". While the company was formed in 2017, his dedication shifted away from leading teams in the defense and healthcare industry and went all in. TJ’s time is now spent mentoring business owners and students, new product development and business growth. "We’ve been able to build phenomenal relationships with our community and strengthen the principles that drive us. We have a very strong team that continues to grow." Our job is to first love people, everything else is secondary.
Local Lore
Owner: Ellen Esling
Location: Makanda
Specialty: Ice Cream
Maker Bio: Local Lore is a 5-acre farm nestled on a ridgetop between Boskydell and Makanda. Part of a 140 year-old orchard family legacy, Local Lore is managed by Ellen who is the 5th generation of her family to farm this ridgetop. She is planting heirloom apple trees, berries, vegetables, flowers, culinary and medicinal herbs, as well as rehabbing the soil and remodeling the old family farmhouse. Local Lore started as a life-long ice cream-enthusiast passion project in the kitchen of Scratch Brewing Company, where Ellen began to experiment with naturally-grown botanicals sourced from the farm as well as other regionally produced-ingredients to create unique ice cream and other frozen treats. Local Lore now produces super tiny-batches of ice cream in the kitchen of Cristaudo’s Bakery in Carbondale, Illinois and continues to sell through Scratch Brewing Company and now LEAF Food Hub!
Owner: Ellen Esling
Location: Makanda
Specialty: Ice Cream
Maker Bio: Local Lore is a 5-acre farm nestled on a ridgetop between Boskydell and Makanda. Part of a 140 year-old orchard family legacy, Local Lore is managed by Ellen who is the 5th generation of her family to farm this ridgetop. She is planting heirloom apple trees, berries, vegetables, flowers, culinary and medicinal herbs, as well as rehabbing the soil and remodeling the old family farmhouse. Local Lore started as a life-long ice cream-enthusiast passion project in the kitchen of Scratch Brewing Company, where Ellen began to experiment with naturally-grown botanicals sourced from the farm as well as other regionally produced-ingredients to create unique ice cream and other frozen treats. Local Lore now produces super tiny-batches of ice cream in the kitchen of Cristaudo’s Bakery in Carbondale, Illinois and continues to sell through Scratch Brewing Company and now LEAF Food Hub!
Fruits, Roots, Beans & Greens
Owner: Dennis Connolly
Location: Alto Pass
Specialty: Produce
Maker Bio: Meet Dennis Connolly with Fruits, Roots, Beans, and Greens Farm! He uses no till permanent beds with mulch and rain water irrigation when needed. He also hand picks pests and has trapping techniques. He does not use pesticides and takes sustainability very seriously. We are so excited to have him on board. He will be offering asparagus, sweet potatoes, purple and white potatoes, summer apples, Asian pears, garlic, squash, pole beans, and celery!
Owner: Dennis Connolly
Location: Alto Pass
Specialty: Produce
Maker Bio: Meet Dennis Connolly with Fruits, Roots, Beans, and Greens Farm! He uses no till permanent beds with mulch and rain water irrigation when needed. He also hand picks pests and has trapping techniques. He does not use pesticides and takes sustainability very seriously. We are so excited to have him on board. He will be offering asparagus, sweet potatoes, purple and white potatoes, summer apples, Asian pears, garlic, squash, pole beans, and celery!
Main Street Pastures
Owner: Chad & Jill Vonder Haar
Location: St. Rose
Specialty: Pasture-raised lamb and pork
https://mainstreetpastures.com/
Maker Bio: It’s been a dream of ours to start our own small farm with our children. Chad grew up on a dairy farm and his parents were gracious enough to let us purchase 80 acres in 2010, and so we started grain farming with the help of his dad and brothers. In 2014 we moved to our current home with 6 acres, and were recently able to purchase an additional 23 acres adjoining. We started raising calves purchased from neighboring farmers, and bought 12 chicks the first year, and now we have a few cows, many steers, pigs, pygmy goats, a few lambs, turkeys, and hundreds of chickens. As our 4 children are getting older they help with many of the daily chores and we enjoy spending time together tending to the animals or taking a ride to check on pastures and crops. We believe in knowing where your food comes from and how it’s raised. We raise everything on the pasture throughout most of the year. We love watching the cattle graze on green pastures and chickens scratching for bugs and seeds. We don’t use any hormones, feed non-gmo corn, and only use antibiotics when necessary.
Owner: Chad & Jill Vonder Haar
Location: St. Rose
Specialty: Pasture-raised lamb and pork
https://mainstreetpastures.com/
Maker Bio: It’s been a dream of ours to start our own small farm with our children. Chad grew up on a dairy farm and his parents were gracious enough to let us purchase 80 acres in 2010, and so we started grain farming with the help of his dad and brothers. In 2014 we moved to our current home with 6 acres, and were recently able to purchase an additional 23 acres adjoining. We started raising calves purchased from neighboring farmers, and bought 12 chicks the first year, and now we have a few cows, many steers, pigs, pygmy goats, a few lambs, turkeys, and hundreds of chickens. As our 4 children are getting older they help with many of the daily chores and we enjoy spending time together tending to the animals or taking a ride to check on pastures and crops. We believe in knowing where your food comes from and how it’s raised. We raise everything on the pasture throughout most of the year. We love watching the cattle graze on green pastures and chickens scratching for bugs and seeds. We don’t use any hormones, feed non-gmo corn, and only use antibiotics when necessary.
Backporch CSA Farmstead
Owner: Adriane Koontz
Location: Carbondale
Specialty: Diverse vegetable production
Maker Bio: Our farmstead is an ever-growing space specializing in flavorful and aesthetically pleasing diverse vegetable varieties meant to hold a balance between functionality and chaos. From my ancestral and only one generation removed agricultural roots and 15 years of small-scale organic farming experience, I employ a mixture of intuitive and scientific based methods that help the soil and myself adapt to each challenge throughout the growing season. My sidekick and chaos specialist, Russell, and my farmer extraordinaire and professional pickler, Kris, make beautiful harmonies to my melody with the gardens.
Owner: Adriane Koontz
Location: Carbondale
Specialty: Diverse vegetable production
Maker Bio: Our farmstead is an ever-growing space specializing in flavorful and aesthetically pleasing diverse vegetable varieties meant to hold a balance between functionality and chaos. From my ancestral and only one generation removed agricultural roots and 15 years of small-scale organic farming experience, I employ a mixture of intuitive and scientific based methods that help the soil and myself adapt to each challenge throughout the growing season. My sidekick and chaos specialist, Russell, and my farmer extraordinaire and professional pickler, Kris, make beautiful harmonies to my melody with the gardens.
Morning Star Farms
Owner: Harold Weaver
Location: Cobden
Specialty: Pasture-raised chicken & eggs
Maker Bio:
Owner: Harold Weaver
Location: Cobden
Specialty: Pasture-raised chicken & eggs
Maker Bio:
