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Health issues force idiosyncratic local organic farming pioneer to retire
Historic Angelic Organics Farm Shuts Down
Wednesday brought the sad news that John Peterson, the legendary sustainable farming pioneer from Caledonia, Illinois, is shutting down Angelic Organics Farm as he seeks to recuperate from challenging health issues.
Farmer John, as he is widely known, posted the following on his website.
I experienced a moderate stroke in March. I was taken by ambulance to the ER, where I was kept for several days. I was then moved to the ICU, where I received care for several more days. After that, I was transferred to a rehabilitation facility for two weeks.Before my stroke, we were going full steam ahead with seeding in the greenhouse. During my hospitalization and after, the crew filled the greenhouse with seedlings. Upon my return from the rehabilitation facility, I felt I was recovering well enough to manage the upcoming season. However, there is a condition called post stroke regression, which I am now experiencing. The left side of my body is weak; my energy declines severely by midday, as does my ability to walk. I fall asleep in meetings. I wobble around the farm, staying upright so far. Nighttime sleep is elusive. My speech and mental functioning are sometimes compromised.Additionally, research informs me that my chance of another stroke is heightened due to having had a prior stroke. Furthermore, due to my condition of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), my odds of a heart attack are increased. Statistically, my odds for longevity are quite diminished.
Seeing little other choice, John determined he would have to retire from farming and shut down his operations immediately. This concludes the career of one of the leaders — and true characters — of the local and sustainable food movement.
John found his love of agriculture as a child helping out on the family farm, which later became Angelic Organics. As a young adult, he adopted the hippie culture of the 1960s, and the farm became a gathering spot for fellow free thinkers. Boone County, Illinois, was (and still is) a pretty conservative place, and vile rumors that spread about the goings-on at the farm made him a local pariah.
This appeared to make John even more determined to blaze his own trail. As highlighted in the 2005 documentary The Real Dirt on Farmer John, he often worked the fields wearing a feather boa, women’s clothing, and Dr. Seuss hats. Yet he was also a courageous fighter for his family’s farm, which was almost lost to the national farm crisis of the 1980s.
The experience helped persuade him that organic and biodynamic farming was better for people and better for his farm, which he renamed Angelic Organics in 1990. This not only gave John an important role in reviving the region’s small farming sector that had been decimated by the rise of conventional agriculture, but also put him in the forefront of community-supported agriculture (CSA). For a number of years, CSA subscription was the main way for many consumers to connect with local farmers and buy their products.
The great expansion in the number of farmers markets and other options for accessing locally produced food took a bite out of Angelic Organics’ CSA base, but it continued to operate right into this year.
John’s health issues prevent him from fulfilling this year’s CSA contracts, and lacking the help needed to harvest what is already growing, John wrote, “I am inviting shareholders and pack volunteers to come to the farm and harvest these early season vegetables during designated times on Saturdays once the crops are ready, probably from late June through July.”
He continued, “I apologize for how our closure might affect our shareholders and other friends of the farm. I hope that shareholders will come and partake in the early season harvest, and bid the farm farewell.”
Local Food Forum salutes John Peterson for his contributions to building our vibrant local food ecosystem, and send healing thoughts his way.
Here’s a link to watch the film, The Real Dirt on Farmer John.
Farmers Rising: No Impact from Angelic Closing
The farmer training non-profit that neighbors John Peterson’s farm in Caledonia was long known as Angelic Organics Learning Center. Confusion over whether the separately operated organization was part of Angelic Organics Farm led its leaders to rebrand as Farmers Rising last year.
Nonetheless, they sent out an email on Wednesday assuring supporters and participants that the farm’s closure has no impact on Farmers Rising’s programs.
Under the headling “Continuation of Our Programming” they wrote:
We are very sorry to hear the news that Farmer John has suffered a health crisis which is forcing the closure of the Angelic Organics Farm. However, Farmers Rising (formerly Angelic Organics Learning Center) and Farmers Rising Rockford (formerly Roots & Wings) is NOT closing. We want to reassure you that our programming will continue uninterrupted. As a separate organization from Angelic Organics Farm, we remain committed to our mission and will continue to serve our community with the same dedication and passion.Thank you for your ongoing support. If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at Connect@farmersrising.org or 815-389-8455.
To learn more about Farmers Rising, click the button below.
Regional Outdoor Farmers Market Schedule
Stand back… The peak season farmers market wave is coming through! Last week’s Chicago region farmers market schedule had six market openings. This week we add 21, eight on Saturday alone.
More and more opportunities to buy delicious, super-fresh, nutritious and sustainably produced food… and support our local farmers. Catch the wave!
* denotes that it is the market’s season opening day.
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