Heirloom farm steps into past, connects with future

Legislative affairs editor

Carol Kuntz, front left, volunteer curator of the Fort de Chartres Jardin Potager, looks over plants, greets visitors and shares her knowledge of 18th century French gardening. Kuntz co-hosted the educational French colonial garden tour on Illinois Country Harvest Farm. (Photo by Forever Young Photography)

Visitors step back in time on Jason and Jennifer Duensing's Illinois Country Harvest farm near Prairie du Rocher in Randolph County.

Diverse beds of native and heirloom flowers and herbs mingle in an orchard with old-fashioned varieties of apples, apricots, cherries, plums and peaches. Integrated rows of heirloom vegetables grow among the flowers and herbs. A few Gloucestershire Old Spots, a historic hog breed known for its red, marbled pork, are raised in a nearby pen.

A crop of Rouge de Bordeaux wheat, a French variety linked to the area's 18th century French colonial history, grows as part of a Les Amis du Fort de Chartres Seed-to-Loaf project to reintroduce historic wheat that might have flourished locally nearly 300 years ago.

Another heritage crop, Cherokee White Eagle Heirloom corn, is shelled with an old corn sheller that belonged to Jason's grandfather, then ground and fed to the hogs. Even a newly constructed barn and other farm buildings were made to look 100 years old.

"People come to the farm and say, ‘Wow. This is how Grandpa farmed,’" Jennifer said. "When people come to the farm, they see us dressed appropriately." The couple dons old styles of clothing.

Six years ago when the Randolph County Farm Bureau members first bought 12 acres that once belonged to Jennifer's great-grandfather, "there was nothing there," Jennifer said. "We try to use every space we have to plant or put an animal in."

Along with their heritage crops, the Duensings use old-fashioned farming practices and regenerative agriculture, including cover crops so their soil is never bare. They don't apply chemicals, and instead of plastic netting or landscape fabric, the farmers apply straw or grass mulch as ground cover.

"We do a lot of rotation of flowers and grain. Once something comes out, something else goes in," said Jennifer, who farms full-time. Jason works off the farm.

Two young ladies enjoy an afternoon picking fresh flowers at Illinois Country Harvest in Randolph County. Go online to learn more about the farm, illinoiscountryharvest.com.

Currently, flowers and related products and activities are the farm's most profitable venture. Jennifer starts all her plants indoors from seed before transplanting the seedlings into beds.

Customers can buy seasonal subscription bouquets of fresh cut flowers. Country Harvest also offers reservations of U-pick flower occasions for ages 9 and older. Small groups reservations are limited to 10 people "so they can enjoy their time," Jennifer explained. "We have private groups come in, book (a time) and have lunch on the site."

Jennifer also dries flowers grown on the farm and creates and sells dried flower arrangements and wreaths.

With such unique, picturesque scenery, it's not surprising that County Harvest has become a popular setting for photos. "Our farm is hanging on the walls of their homes," Jennifer said of photography customers.

Jennifer Duensing, co-owner and operator of Illinois Country Harvest, looks over a mixed heirloom herb bed of nigella and lavender. Jason and Jennifer Duensing grow a variety of heirloom and native herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers on their farm near Prairie du Rocher. (Photos by Forever Young Photography)

An exclusive arrangement with a single photographer has proven beneficial for both parties. The photographer schedules photo sessions on the farm "because I trust her," Jennifer said. "I allow her to come and do mini (photo) sessions. She gets booked a lot because of her access to the farm, and it's a nice income for us."

Country Harvest also participates in educational events, such as a French colonial garden tour. La Jardiniere's Heirlooms is part of the Fort de Chartres Heritage Garden Project to promote seeds and plants reflecting the state's French colonial and native heritage.

"We are involved in the history of our region," Jennifer said.

Farm-to-table dinners can generate revenue while growing a farm customer base and building loyalty.

Legislative affairs editor